LUX GENE TECHNOLOGY - A STRATEGY TO OPTIMIZE BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL OF SOIL-BORNE DISEASES

Lux gene technology is based on the transformation of environmental ba cteria with genes of the lux operon from the marine bacteria Vibrio fi scheri and V. harveyi. Transformed strains are bioluminescent and thus provide a rapid and very accurate tool for the study of population dy namics, metabolic activity and spatial distribution of specific bacter ia in environmental samples. This review summarizes the recent progres s in using lux-marked rhizobacteria to optimize biological control met hods for soil-borne diseases. Special emphasis has been placed on the advantages and limitations of the new technology.