Stability of a plasmid F Trim in populations of a recombination-deficient strain of Escherichia coli in continuous culture.

Populations of a recA derivative of Escherichia coli AB1157 containing the plasmid F Trim were grown in carbon-limited continuous culture at dilution rates of 0.1 h-1 to 0.4 h-1. The plasmid was lost after a lag, except in fermenter-experienced populations when it was retained. These results can be explained in terms of non-specific competition.