The competitive advantage of pyoverdine non-producers over producers in mixed culture was shown to be maximized when environments are well - mixed .
Molecules diffuse readily ( low spatial structure ) and when the costs and benefits of pyoverdine production are high , i.e. when iron is strongly limited .
The competitive advantage of pyoverdine non-producers over producers in mixed culture was shown to be maximized when environments are well - mixed and molecules diffuse readily ( low spatial structure ) and when the costs and benefits of pyoverdine production are high , i.e. when iron is strongly limited .