Comparative genomics of six linuron-degrading Variovorax sp.. VVX_LinDeg

Linuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methyl urea] is a phenylurea herbicide that is widely used for weed control in agriculture. Linuron is considered to be moderately persistent in soil, not readily biodegradable and due to its reproductive toxicity has been banned in the European Union in 2017. Biodegradation is the major way of linuron dissipation in the environment. Several bacterial strains and consortia with linuron-mineralizing capacity have been isolated from geographically-distant locations, most of which belong to the genus Variovorax. In this study we compare the genomes of six different Variovorax sp. with the capability to degrade linuron.