Biostimulation and enrichment of 2,6-dichlorobenzamide-mineralising soil bacterial communities from dichlobenil-exposed soil

Eleven enrichment cultures of 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM)-mineralising bacteria from a dichlobenil-exposed soil were enriched using three different media. Ten of the enriched mixed cultures had stimulated BAM mineralisation only in the presence of supplementary carbon and were able to utilise BAM as the sole nitrogen source, while only one was able to utilise BAM as the sole source of both carbon and nitrogen. Cultivation and DNA-based analysis of the mixed cultures suggested that different bacterial populations were stimulated by the three strategies. Our findings indicate that natural BAM-mineralising populations capable of using BAM as a source of nitrogen can be readily stimulated, enriched and maintained following sub-culturing from dichlobenil-treated soils by adding an alternative carbon source.