抗感青枯病番茄的内生细菌数量动态分析及其对青枯病的生物防治

对番茄内生细菌数量动态及其对青枯病的生物防治研究结果表明:番茄内生细菌可来源于种子内部。番茄不同生育期,内生细菌数量最多在成株期,其中抗病品种根、茎分别为24.3×104CFU/g鲜重和22.9×104CFU/g鲜重,感病品种根、茎分别为9.8×104CFU/g鲜重和13.4×104CFU/g鲜重。抗病品种中具有拮抗青枯菌的内生细菌菌株为17个,感病品种中7个。部分内生细菌具促进番茄种子萌发和防治番茄青枯病的作用,其中5R和3R内生菌株的防病效果分别达91.7%和81.3%。     

象山港网箱养殖区水体和沉积物的细菌生态分布

2006年1月和10月对象山港网箱养殖区细菌数量分布及群落结构进行研究,并与周边非养殖海域进行了比较。结果显示水体和沉积物细菌数量均呈现10月份1月份、网箱养殖区网箱外侧对照区近湾顶对照区近湾口对照区的分布特点,其中网箱养殖区水体异养细菌、弧菌数量分别在1.0×106—7.2×107CFU/L和1.6×105—1.3×106CFU/L之间,沉积物异养细菌、弧菌数量分别在5.9×102—6.1×105CFU/g和8.0×101—7.4×104CFU/g之间。网箱养殖区水体分离细菌89株,归属于12个属,其中不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、弧菌属(Vibrio)等为优势菌属;沉积物分离细菌136株,归属于10个属,其中假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、弧菌属(Vibrio)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)等为优势菌属。由于长期受到高营养盐、高有机质等外界条件的选择作用,网箱区及网箱外侧对照区海域的细菌群落多样性较低,某些特定的细菌类群富集。研究表明网箱养殖区的细菌分布和菌属组成特征与养殖自身污染密切相关,并且养殖过程对细菌群落产生的影响已扩展至网箱外侧的邻近海域。     

大豆内生细菌的分离及根腐病拮抗菌的筛选鉴定

内生细菌存在于健康植物体内,一些内生细菌具有促生长、抗病和固氮等生物学功能.本项研究采用化学药剂表面灭菌方法从黑龙江省大豆品种合丰25的根、茎、叶和种子中分离到大量内生细菌,其种群数量在根部最多,为3.4×103CFU/g,在叶部次之,为2.8×103CFU/g,在茎部和种子中最少,为2.9×102 CFU/g和1.4×102CFU/g.从121株内生细菌中筛选到31株对大豆根腐病菌Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.soybean具有较强抑制作用的拮抗内生细菌,其中菌株TF28抑菌谱广,抑菌率高,对不同植物的病原菌F. oxysporum的抑菌率为80.2%～96.7%.经形态、生理生化和16S rRNA鉴定为解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens).     

小麦内生细菌及其对根茎部主要病原真菌的抑制作用

对小麦植株不同生育期、不同器官的内生细菌进行了分离和数量变化分析.结果表明,根、茎、叶及未成熟籽粒等器官中存在大量的内生细菌,鲜组织中平均约含内生细菌5.0×10⁵ CFU·g^-1,其中根系中内生细菌数量达7.8×10⁵ CFU·g^-1,而茎秆、叶片和未成熟籽粒中内生细菌数量分别为4.8×10⁵、3.2×10⁵和2.8×10⁵ CFU·g^-1.内生细菌数量在不同生育期也存在差异,幼苗期平均约为3.1×10⁵ CFU·g^-1、拔节期和灌浆期分别为5.7×10⁵和7.0×10⁵ CFU·g^-1.不同小麦田块之间存在明显差异,长武县一田块植物鲜组织中内生细菌的数量为6.1×10⁵ CFU·g^-1,而大荔县一田块约为3.9×10⁵ CFU·g^-1.试验结果发现,对小麦全蚀病菌具有拮抗作用的内生细菌有51株、对小麦纹枯病菌具有抑制作用的内生细菌有45株.用平板对峙法测定,有71株对两种病原真菌均有拮抗作用,对小麦全蚀病菌抑菌圈直径大于10 mm的有23株,其中来源于根系、茎秆、叶片和籽粒的分别为6株、7株、9株和1株;对小麦纹枯病菌抑菌圈超过10 mm的有20株,其中来源于根系、茎秆、叶片和籽粒的分别为7株、5株、7株和1株,说明从小麦叶片诱捕分离的内生细菌中,对小麦全蚀病菌和纹枯病菌抑菌作用较强的分离株比率最高,其次为茎秆,而根部和未成熟籽粒中比例明显较低.     

池塘中大肠埃希菌、柱状屈挠杆菌和鳗弧菌的动态演变规律的研究

目的:研究鱼池中不同生物体表面柱状屈挠杆菌、大肠埃希菌和鳗弧菌的区系分布.方法:通过对本中心渔场的鱼池中的几种主要病原菌进行定期采样测定.结果:这三种细菌在各种鱼体表的数量主要在102～104CFU/cm2波动,各种鱼体表上的同一细菌数量总体相差不大(几倍之间),但有一定的选择性;另外同一种鱼其体表上的各种细菌有相似的分布规律.研究还表明柱状屈挠杆菌、大肠埃希菌和鳗弧菌在池塘水体和各种浮游生物上的数量波动区域:浮游细菌为105～106CFU/L,大型浮游生物为103～104CFU/L,小型浮游生物为104～105CFU/L,其分布顺序(根据其平均值)都是:水体中的浮游细菌数量总是远远高于小型浮游生物(通常高10～100倍),小型浮游生物也总高于大型浮游生物(通常高10倍左右);同一种生物其体表上的各种病原菌有相同的分布规律.结论:这三种细菌在水体和各种生物体上的高峰期通常在5月下旬至6月上旬、7月下旬至8月上旬,因此,我们认为在这两个时间段,要特别重视,抓好防治鱼病的工作.     

棉铃虫卵在不同生育期玉米上的分布

1998年在江苏丰县系统调查了棉铃虫卵在不同生育期玉米上的垂直分布和水平分布。表明棉铃虫在抽雄扬花期以前的玉米上产卵 ,2代期间叶片正面占总卵量的 93 5% ,茎杆上占 6 5% ,3代期间叶片正面占 89 5% ,茎杆上占 1 0 5% ;抽雄扬花期主要产在雄穗和新鲜的雌蕊花丝上 ,分别占 59 1 %和2 6 9% ,叶片正面和茎杆上分别只占 1 1 1 %和 2 9%。抽雄扬花后有 97 5%的卵产在雌蕊花丝上 ,叶片和茎杆上为 0 5%和 2 0 %。第 3代棉铃虫卵期 ,抽雄扬花期的玉米对卵的分流作用约为抽雄扬花前玉米的 3倍 ,抽雄扬花后的玉米对卵的分流作用最小。     

海洋滩涂沉积物环境中几类主要细菌的动态分布

目的研究宁波市宁海县贝类养殖滩涂中异养细菌、反硝化细菌、氨化细菌和硫酸还原菌等几类细菌的动态分布及异养细菌的菌群组成。方法异养细菌的计数采用平板菌落计数法;反硝化细菌、氨化细菌和硫酸还原菌的计数采用MPN法;并参照Oliver提供的海洋细菌鉴定检索图、《海洋调查规范》和《一般细菌常用鉴定方法》提供的图式将分离到的细菌鉴定至属。结果滩涂沉积物环境中异养细菌的数量波动在8.00×103~7.60×104CFU/g(湿重),反硝化细菌的数量变动在5.00×102~5.00×104个/g(湿重),氨化细菌的数量变动在3.00×105~5.00×107个/g(湿重),硫酸还原菌的数量分布在9.00×104~9.00×106个/g(湿重),温度的变化对这几类细菌的数量分布没有直接的影响。所分离的细菌经过鉴定,可归于15个属与肠杆菌科的部分属,其中肠杆菌科(Enterobacteriaceae)的部分属、梭状芽胞杆菌属(Clostridium)、芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus)、棒状杆菌属(Corynebacterium)、发光杆菌属(Photobacterium)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)等为优势菌属。沉积物中氨化细菌、反硝化细菌和硫酸还原菌的检出率均为100%,且含量很高。结论经过多年不间歇的养殖后,宁海贝类养殖滩涂已经不同程度地受到了污染,应尽快调整养殖容量并对养殖环境进行重新布局。     

肉牛屠宰过程中胴体在冲淋前后极端微生物组成的变化

目的对通过高压热水冲淋前后肉牛胴体表面的极端微生物数量及种类的变化规律进行研究。方法细菌菌落计数,并从分离的极端微生物中随机挑出8株厌氧菌和7株嗜冷菌,利用16S r DNA扩增、测序及生化试剂盒鉴定这些微生物的种属特征。结果冲淋前后的肉牛胴体表面细菌菌落总数从106CFU/cm2降低至500 CFU/cm2,同时冲淋前后的肉牛胴体厌氧细菌总数从2×102CFU/g下降至400 CFU/g,嗜冷细菌总数从3×104CFU/g下降至3×102CFU/g。极端微生物主要属于厌氧芽胞杆菌属Bacillus sp.、埃希菌属、肠杆菌属Enterobacter sp.、库特菌属Kurthia sp.、沙雷菌属Serratia sp.、假单胞菌属Pseudomonas sp.等6个属。结论高压热水冲淋可以很好的控制肉牛胴体表面细菌菌落总数,但对于厌氧、嗜冷等极端微生物的减菌效果不是很理想。     

环境、病原、免疫因子三要素与池塘养殖对虾AHPND发生的关联性

为研究虾急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute Hepatopancreas Necrosis Disease,AHPND)的发生与环境、病原和虾体免疫间的相互关系,文章对池塘养殖凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)AHPND发生及其环境、病原、虾体免疫因子进行持续性跟踪监测。结果表明,试验点的气温、水温、溶解氧(DO)、pH、盐度、氨氮(NH₄-N)和亚硝态氮(NO₂-N)波动范围为21—29℃、24.8—31℃、1.4—8.32 mg/L、8—8.91、34—50、0.01—0.26 mg/L和0.005—0.212 mg/L;水体可培养细菌和弧菌数量变化范围为3×10³—2.4×10⁵和2×10²—1.8×104 CFU/mL,虾体肝胰腺内可培养细菌和弧菌数量变化范围为9.8×10⁴—8.8×10⁶和3.9×10³—3.61×10⁶ CFU/g;16S rDNA鉴定结果显示,在...     

云南两个不同生态区玉米蚜种群动态研究

在2013年5-9月,采取5点取样,对云南省昭通温凉玉米种植区及普洱暖热玉米种植区玉米蚜种群动态进行定期、定点、定株的系统调查,明确云南省两种不同生态条件下玉米种植区玉米蚜发生规律及分布特征,为玉米蚜的防治提供理论依据。结果显示:昭通温凉玉米种植区玉米蚜在玉米各生育期均有发生;玉米蚜在抽雄散粉期主要集中在雄穗为害,籽粒建成期以后转移集中在苞叶及雌穗为害;玉米蚜在玉米田始终呈聚集分布,聚集度呈聚集—扩散—聚集趋势。普洱暖热玉米种植区玉米蚜种群数量在玉米进入籽粒建成期后才有所增长;玉米蚜在籽粒建成期以后主要集中在苞叶及雌穗上为害;玉米蚜在玉米田基本呈聚集分布,聚集度始终呈扩散趋势。两地玉米蚜自然种群消长、垂直分布动态,空间动态均具有一定差异,昭通温凉玉米种植区相对更适宜玉米蚜的发生。     

Gut colonization by an ice nucleation active bacterium, Erwinia (Pantoea) ananas reduces the cold hardiness of mulberry pyralid larvae.

To evaluate the suitability of using ice nucleation active (INA) bacteria for the biological control of insect pests, the supercooling point (SCP) of larvae of mulberry pyralid, Glyphodes duplicalis, and silkworm, Bombyx mori, ingesting INA strains of Erwinia (Pantoea) ananas and Pseudomonas syringae was determined. Mean SCP of the guts of silkworm larvae ingesting INA strains of E. ananas ranged from -2.5 to -2.8 degrees C, being 5 degrees C higher than that in control treatments. Similarly, mean SCP of mulberry pyralid larvae ingesting INA strain of E. ananas, which can grow well in the gut, was -4.7 degrees C at 3 days after treatment, being 6.5 degrees C higher than that in control treatments. On the other hand, mean SCP of the larvae-ingesting INA strain of P. syringae, which cannot grow in the gut, was -9.0 degrees C at 3 days after treatment, rising by only 2.5 degrees C higher than that in the control treatments. In addition, more than 80% of the larvae of mulberry pyralid ingesting the INA strain of E. ananas froze and eventually died when exposed to -6 degrees C for 18 h, while only 36% of the larvae ingesting the INA strain of P. syringae, or approximately 20% of the control larvae, froze and died. Thus, the gut colonization by INA strains of E. ananas reduced remarkably the cold hardiness of the insects. These findings suggest that INA strains of E. ananas could be effective as a potential biological control agent of insect pests.     

我国冰核活性细菌的优势种类调查与研究

１９８６￣１９９４年,从国内１７个省、市、自治区的６８种植物上分离到了２５０株冰核活性细菌,经鉴定分别属于３个属的１７个种或致病变种。其中出现最多的是菠萝欧文氏菌,共１３３株,占总数的５３．２％,其次是丁香假单胞菌群,共７０株,占２８％,其它种类的冰核活性细菌共４７株,仅占１８．８％。因此,我国冰核活性细菌的优势菌种是Ｅ．ａｎａｎａｓ,其次是Ｐ．ｓｙｒｉｎｇａｅ ｐｖｓ。在低纬度的南方地区中Ｅ．ａ     

Transgenic ice nucleation-active Enterobacter cloacae reduces cold hardiness of corn borer and cotton bollworm larvae

The ice nucleation (IN) gene iceA of Erwinia ananas 110 was integrated into the chromosomes of two Enterobacter cloacae strains (Enc1.2022 and Enc1.181). These two newly derived transgenic strains, designated Enc2022-I and Enc181-I, respectively, possessed ice nucleation activity at -2.5 degrees C, significantly higher than their parent strains (active at approx -10 degrees C or lower). After ingesting these transgenic bacteria, the mean supercooling points (SCPs) of corn borer and cotton bollworm larvae were -3 to -4 degrees C, significantly higher than those of untreated controls. The SCPs remained significantly elevated over the 9-day period after ingestion, which matched well with the efficient gut colonization of the bacteria during this period. All treated larvae froze and eventually died after exposure for 6 h to a temperature of -7 degrees C, and more than 95% died after 12 h at -5 degrees C. In contrast, few or none of the untreated control larvae froze and died under the same conditions. Furthermore, the growth ability of these transgenic ice nucleation-active (INA) En. cloacae strains on corn leaves was reduced, compared to that of wild-type epiphytic E. ananas, as revealed by pot tests conducted in both greenhouse and outdoor conditions. The stable colonization in insect guts and their lower affinity to plants would make these transgenic INA bacteria useful as a novel tool for biological control of insect pests in agricultural fields.     

Biological control of an insect pest by gut-colonizing Enterobacter cloacae transformed with ice nucleation gene

The ice nucleation (IN) gene inaA of epiphytic Erwinia (Pantoea) ananas IN10 was transformed into Enterobacter cloacae WBMH-3-CMr originated from the faeces of silkworms. The transformant designated as Ent. cloacae WBMH-3-CMr(pICE6S13) exhibited IN activity, unlike the parent strain. The transgenic strain was ingested by mulberry pyralid larvae, fed on detached mulberry leaves, and the supercooling capacity and cold hardiness of these larvae were examined. The mean supercooling point (SCP) of the larvae ingesting the transgenic strain was - 3.3 degrees C, 8 degrees C higher than that of larvae treated with distilled water (control) and 1.5 C higher than an ice nucleation active (INA) strain of Erw. ananas. The SCPs of the larvae were stably maintained over the 9 d after ingestion. The maintenance of these high SCPs was due to transgenic Ent. cloacae having a more stable and efficient gut colonization than Erw. ananas, which is identified by the distribution of a narrower range of SCPs (-2 to -5 degrees C) in larvae treated with the transgenic stain. Furthermore, most of the larvae ingesting the transgenic strain froze and died when they were exposed to cold conditions of -5 degrees C for 18 h, 3 or 7 d after ingestion. In contrast, most of the larvae ingesting no bacterium did not die under similar conditions. On the other hand, the growth ability of Ent. cloacae WBMH-3-CMr on mulberry leaves tended to be lower than that of epiphytic Erw. ananas, as assayed by pot tests. These findings would expand the possibility of biological control using INA bacteria since Ent. cloacae would harbour a broader host (insect) range for gut colonization and a smaller affinity to plants to benefit from prevention of plant frost injury.     

The role of ice nucleation active bacteria in supercooling of citrus tissues

The frost sensitivity of Citrus sinensis in relation to the presence of biogenic ice nuclei was studied. In commercially managed citrus groves the ice nucleation active (INA) bacterium Pseudomonas syringae reached 6 × 10⁴ colony forming units (CFU) leaf⁻¹, a population sufficiently high to catalyze ice formation. However, a transient loss of bacterial nucleation activity was noticeable at subzero field temperatures, followed by resumption as temperatures rose. This loss was apparently due to a temporary transition of INA to ice nucleation inactive (INI) bacteria. Field application of Bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide, streptomycin, and 2-hydroxypropylmethanethiolsulfonate (HPMTS), resulted in reduction of INA bacterial populations to detectability (≤ 10² CFU leaf⁻¹) limits. However, the corresponding reduction in ice nucleation events in treated samples as compared to controls at nucleation temperature ≥−3°C was not as dramatic. It ranged from approximately 7% in samples treated with the bactericide HPMTS, to 35% in samples treated with chemicals possessing combined bactericidal - fungicidal action (coppers). Since a quantitative relationship exists between ice nucleation events on individual leaves and the INA bacterial populations harbored by these leaves, these results suggest the co-existence of a bacterial and a proteinaceous, yet non-bacterial ice nucleating source in citrus, both active at ≥−3°C.     

Survival of Ice Nucleation-Active and Genetically Engineered Non-Ice-Nucleating Pseudomonas syringae Strains after Freezing

The survival after freezing of ice nucleation-active (INA) and genetically engineered non-INA strains of Pseudomonas syringae was compared. Each strain was applied to oat seedlings and allowed to colonize for 3 days, and the plants were subjected to various freezing temperatures. Plant leaves were harvested before and after freezing on two consecutive days, and bacterial populations were determined. Populations of the INA wild-type strain increased 15-fold in the 18 h after the oat plants incurred frost damage at −5 and −12°C. Plants colonized by the non-INA strain were undamaged at −5°C and exhibited no changes in population size after two freeze trials. As freezing temperatures were lowered (−7, −9, and −12°C), oat plants colonized by the non-INA strain suffered increased frost damage concomitant with bacterial population increases following 18 h. At −12°C, both strains behaved identically. The data show a relationship between frost damage to plants and increased bacterial population size during the following 18 h, indicating a potential competitive advantage of INA strains of P. syringae over non-INA strains in mild freezing environments.     

Gut Colonization by an Ice Nucleation Active Bacterium,Erwinia(Pantoea)ananasReduces the Cold Hardiness of Mulberry Pyralid Larvae

To evaluate the suitability of using ice nucleation active (INA) bacteria for the biological control of insect pests, the supercooling point (SCP) of larvae of mulberry pyralid,Glyphodes duplicalis,and silkworm,Bombyx mori,ingesting INA strains ofErwinia(Pantoea)ananasandPseudomonas syringaewas determined. Mean SCP of the guts of silkworm larvae ingesting INA strains ofE. ananasranged from −2.5 to −2.8°C, being 5°C higher than that in control treatments. Similarly, mean SCP of mulberry pyralid larvae ingesting INA strain ofE. ananas,which can grow well in the gut, was −4.7°C at 3 days after treatment, being 6.5°C higher than that in control treatments. On the other hand, mean SCP of the larvae-ingesting INA strain ofP. syringae,which cannot grow in the gut, was −9.0°C at 3 days after treatment, rising by only 2.5°C higher than that in the control treatments. In addition, more than 80% of the larvae of mulberry pyralid ingesting the INA strain ofE. ananasfroze and eventually died when exposed to −6°C for 18 h, while only 36% of the larvae ingesting the INA strain ofP. syringae,or approximately 20% of the control larvae, froze and died. Thus, the gut colonization by INA strains ofE. ananasreduced remarkably the cold hardiness of the insects. These findings suggest that INA strains ofE. ananascould be effective as a potential biological control agent of insect pests.     

The ice Nucleation Activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula and its Inhibition by Various Chemicals

The ice nucleation activity (INA) of three strains of Pseudomonas fluorecens, nos 553, 554 and 606, isolated by the Institute for Pathogen Diagnostics in Ascherleben, Germany, was determined. Under equal growth conditions and at given test temperatures the ice nucleation frequency spectra of the isolates differed slightly. The fraction of cells which acted as ice nuclei increased with falling temperatures. Below ?5°C the nucleation frequency rose from 10^-8 to 10^-3. Between, 0 and ?10°C only a fraction of approximately 2 to 5 × 10^-3 cells performed ice nucleation activity. Fifteen newly synthesized chemicals showed no or only a very slight intrinsic INA at ?5°C and ?7°C. The compounds were used as antinucleators against INA-exhibiting bacteria. In INA-exhibiting suspensions of isolate 553 bacterial ice nuclei were reduced after treatment with the 15 compounds. Dependent on the compounds, a nucleation frequency of ?8.32 to ?5.10 was detected at ?5°C. At ?7°C, the frequency amounted to ?7.89 to ?5.05. As the temperature was lowered to ?10°C in bacterial suspensions which were treated with 9 (of the 15) compounds, a remainder of 1.79 to 5.91 × 10^-6 cells retained ice nucleation activity. The most pronounced inhibitory effect was noted for the compounds 1989/6255, 1989/6436 and 1990/6158. In a 10-fold dilution of isolate 553 the compound 1989/6153 inhibited ice nucleation between 0 and 10°C so strongly that it was about 100 times below the control. The ‘tube-freezing’ method showed that on excised corn leaves treated with 1989/6259 and 1990/6155, the bacterial INA decreased while the super-cooling was more pronounced. ‘Frostgard’, 1986/6205, 1986/6199 and 1989/6259 inhibited most INA-exhibiting bacteria on corn seedlings. Compared to inoculated plants, a significantly higher percentage of treated plants survived at ?2 and ?3°C.     

Distribution, Population Dynamics, and Characteristics of Ice Nucleation-Active Bacteria in Deciduous Fruit Tree Orchards

Deciduous fruit tree orchards located in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed over a 3-year period for the presence of ice nucleation-active (INA) bacteria. In the Yakima Valley, only about 30% of the fruit tree orchards contained INA bacteria (median population ca. 3 × 10² CFU/g [fresh weight]) in contrast to nearly 75% of the orchards in the Hood River Valley (median population ca. 5 × 10³ CFU/g [fresh weight]). These INA populations ranged from less than 10 to over 10⁶ CFU/g (fresh weight) of blossoms and, in Hood River Valley orchards, generally comprised over 10% of the total bacterial population. Populations of INA bacteria fluctuated during the year with highest levels developing on buds and flowers during the cool, wet spring, followed by a drop in populations during the warmer, drier, summer months and finally a gradual increase in the autumn. The INA bacteria persisted on dormant buds from which they again colonized young developing vegetative tissues. All INA bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas syringae. The frequency of ice nucleation at −5°C for these strains ranged from nearly every cell being INA to less than 1 in 10⁷ cells. The median frequency of ice nucleation at −5°C was 10⁴ cells per ice nucleus. The INA P. syringae strains from individual orchards were diverse with respect to bacteriocin typing and in ice nucleation frequency. The consistent absence of detectable INA bacteria or presence of low populations in most of the orchards surveyed during periods when critical temperatures (i.e., −2 to −5°C) were common indicated a limited role for INA bacteria in frost susceptibility of most Pacific Northwest orchards.     

Ice nucleation temperature of individual leaves in relation to population sizes of ice nucleation active bacteria and frost injury

Ice nucleation temperatures of individual leaves were determined by a tube nucleation test. With this assay, a direct quantitative relationship was obtained between the temperatures at which ice nucleation occurred on individual oat (Avena sativa L.) leaves and the population sizes of ice nucleation active (INA) bacteria present on those leaves. In the absence of INA bacteria, nucleation of supercooled growth-chamber grown oat leaves did not occur until temperatures were below approximately −5°C. Both nucleation temperature and population size of INA bacteria were determined on the same individual, field-grown oat leaves. Leaves with higher ice nucleation temperatures harbored larger populations of INA bacteria than did leaves with lower nucleation temperatures. Log₁₀ mean populations of INA bacteria per leaf were 5.14 and 3.51 for leaves with nucleation temperatures of −2.5°C and −3.0°C, respectively. Nucleation frequencies (the ratio of ice nuclei to viable cells) of INA bacteria on leaves were lognormally distributed. Strains from two very different collections of Pseudomonas syringae and one of Erwinia herbicola were cultured on nutrient glycerol agar and tested for nucleation frequency at −5°C. Nucleation frequencies of these bacterial strains were also lognormally distributed within each of the three sets. The tube nucleation test was used to determine the frequency with which individual leaves in an oat canopy harbored large populations of INA bacteria throughout the growing season. This test also predicted relative frost hazard to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) plants.