Agrobacterium strains isolated from root nodules of common bean specifically reduce nodulation by Rhizobium gallicum

FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2006 May;56(2):304-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2006.00069.x.

Abstract

In a previous work, we showed that non-nodulating agrobacteria strains were able to colonize root nodules of common bean. Both rhizobia and agrobacteria co-existed in the infected nodules. No impact on symbiosis was found in laboratory conditions when using sterile gravel as a support for growth. In this study, soil samples originating from different geographic and agronomic regions in Tunisia were inoculated with a mixture of agrobacteria strains isolated previously from root nodules of common bean. A significant effect on nodulation and vegetal growth of common bean was observed. Characterization of nodulating rhizobia and comparison with non-inoculated controls showed a biased genetic structure. It seemed that Rhizobium gallicum was highly inhibited, whereas nodulation by Sinorhizobium medicae was favored. Co-inoculation of non-sterile soils with R. gallicum and agrobacteria confirmed these findings. In vitro antibiosis assays indicated that agrobacteria exercised a significant antagonism against R. gallicum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiosis*
  • Phaseolus / growth & development
  • Phaseolus / microbiology*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Rhizobium / genetics
  • Rhizobium / growth & development
  • Rhizobium / isolation & purification*
  • Rhizobium / physiology*
  • Sinorhizobium / growth & development
  • Sinorhizobium / physiology
  • Tunisia