Pedobacter suwonensis sp nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris)

A mesophilic bacterium, strain 15-52(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the bacterium was identified as representing a novel species belonging to the genus Pedobacter. The strain is non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and grows at temperatures in the range 1-37 degrees C. Physiological tests of the strain showed the presence of oxidase, catalase, protease (gelatin and casein hydrolysis), beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase activities. The highest levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found with respect to Pedobacter roseus CL-GP80(T) (97.3%) and Fedobacter sandarakinus DS-27(T) (97.2%). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that strain 15-52(T) is a member of the genus Pedobacter. DNA-DNA hybridization analysis revealed low levels of relatedness (< 42.3%) between the isolate and two phylogenetically related type strains, P. roseus KCCM 42272(T) and P. sandarakinus KCTC 12559(T). The DNA G + C content is 44.2 mol% and the predominant fatty acids are iso-C-15:0 (35.4%), iso-C-15:0 2-OH and/or C-16:1 omega 7c (27.8%) and iso-C-17:0 3-OH (115.8%). On the basis of these data, strain 15-52(T) represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Fedobacter suwonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15-52(T) (= KACC 11317(T) = DSM 18130(T)).