Plasmids of incompatibility group P code for the capacity to propagate bacteriophage IKe.

Seven of eight plasmids of incompatibility group P were found to code for the capacity to propagate bacteriophage IKe in Escherichia coli. Six of the seven plasmids allowed propagation of IKe by one bacterial host (RG172) but not by another (RG176); the other plasmid allowed IKe propagation by both hosts. IKe propagation by a number of E. coli K-12 strains was quite variable. IKeh, an extended host range mutant of IKe, was found to plaque specifically on N+ and P+ strains.