Bacteriophage lambda-mediated transposon mutagenesis of phytopathogenic and epiphytic Erwinia species is strain dependent.

Using transformation and conjugal mobilization, plasmids carrying the lamB gene of Escherichia coli were transferred to a range of Erwinia strains. The resultant strains were infected with lambda 467, and kanamycin resistant transductants were screened for various mutant phenotypes including auxotrophy and altered extracellular enzyme activities. Reversion analysis suggested that most mutant phenotypes were due to Tn5 insertion. The applicability of the techniques was highly strain dependent. However a rapid and simple route to mutant isolation was obtained, which could allow the use of other lambda-related genetic techniques in several important species which, to date, have not been genetically manipulated.