Nodulation of Sesbania species by Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) strain IRBG74 and other rhizobia

Stephen P. Cummings, Prasad Gyaneshwar, Pablo Vinuesa, Frank T. Farruggia, Mitchell Andrews, David Humphry, Geoffrey N. Elliott, Andrew Nelson, Caroline Orr, Deborah Pettitt, Gopit R. Shah, Scott R. Santos, Hari B. Krishnan, David Odee, Fatima M.S. Moreira, Janet I. Sprent, J. Peter W. Young, Euan K. James

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    56 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Concatenated sequence analysis with 16S rRNA, rpoB and fusA genes identified a bacterial strain (IRBG74) isolated from root nodules of the aquatic legume Sesbania cannabina as a close relative of the plant pathogen Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens). However, DNA:DNA hybridization with R. radiobacter, R. rubi, R. vitis and R. huautlense gave only 44%, 5%, 8% and 8% similarity respectively, suggesting that IRBG74 is potentially a new species. Additionally, it contained no vir genes and lacked tumour-forming ability, but harboured a sym-plasmid containing nifH and nodA genes similar to those in other Sesbania symbionts. Indeed, IRBG74 effectively nodulated S. cannabina and seven other Sesbania spp. that nodulate with Ensifer (Sinorhizobium)/Rhizobium strains with similar nodA genes to IRBG74, but not species that nodulate with Azorhizobium or Mesorhizobium. Light and electron microscopy revealed that IRBG74 infected Sesbania spp. via lateral root junctions under flooded conditions, but via root hairs under non-flooded conditions. Thus, IRBG74 is the first confirmed legume-nodulating symbiont from the Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) clade. Cross-inoculation studies with various Sesbania symbionts showed that S. cannabina could form fully effective symbioses with strains in the genera Rhizobium and Ensifer, only ineffective ones with Azorhizobium strains, and either partially effective (Mesorhizobium huakii) or ineffective (Mesorhizobium plurifarium) symbioses with Mesorhizobium. These data are discussed in terms of the molecular phylogeny of Sesbania and its symbionts.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2510-2525
    Number of pages16
    JournalEnvironmental Microbiology
    Volume11
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2009

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