Nitrogen fixation capacity and nodule occupancy by Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B. elkanii strains

 In a previous study soybean Bradyrhizobium strains, used in Brazilian studies and inoculants over the last 30 years, and strains adapted to the Brazilian Cerrados, a region frequently submitted to environmental and nutritional stresses, were analyzed for 32 morphological and physiological parameters in vivo and in vitro. A cluster analysis allowed the subdivision of these strains into species Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium elkanii and a mixed genotype. In this study, the bacteria were analyzed for nodulation, N₂ fixation capacity, nodule occupancy and the ability to increase yield. The goal was to find a relationship between the strain groups and the symbiotic performance. Two strains of Brazilian B. japonicum showed higher rates of N₂ fixation and nodule efficiency (mg of N mg^–1 of nodules) under axenic conditions. These strains also showed greater yield increases in field experiments when compared to B. elkanii strains. However, no differences were detected between B. japonicum and B. elkanii strains when comparing nodule occupancy capacity. The adapted strains belonging to the serogroup B. elkanii SEMIA 566, most clustered in a mixed genotype, were more competitive than the parental strain, and some showed a higher capacity of N₂ fixation. Some of the adapted strains, such as S-370 and S-372, have shown similar N₂ fixation rates and nodulation competitiveness to two Brazilian strains of B. japonicum. This similarity demonstrates the possibility of enhancing N₂ fixing ability, after local adaptation, even within B. elkanii species. Differences in the DNA profiles were also detected between the parental SEMIA 566 and the adapted strains by analyses with the ERIC and REP-PCR techniques. Consequently, genetic, morphological and physiological changes can be a result of adaptation of rhizobia to the soil. This variability can be used to select strains capable of increasing the contribution of N₂ fixation to soybean nutrition. Received: 28 May 1997     

Soybean preference for Bradyrhizobium japonicum for nodulation

For the increase of the occupation ratio of inoculum strain in the competition with indigenous rhizobia, the relationship between Rj-genotypes of soybean and the preference of Rj-cultivars for various types of rhizobia for nodulation was investigated by using the Rj ₂ Rj ₄-genotype of soybean isolated from the cross between the Rj ₂ Rj ₃-cultivar IAC-2 and Rj ₄-one Hill (Ishizuka et al. 1993: Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 39, 79-86). Firstly, these Rj ₂ Rj ₄-genotypes were found to harbor the Rj ₃-gene. The Rj ₂Rj₃Rj₄-genotypes of soybean were considered to exhibit a more narrow microsymbiont range for nodulation than the Rj ₂ Rj ₃-and Rj₄-cultivars. Therefore, rhizobia were isolated from the nodules of various Rj-genotypes of soybeans grown in soils, and the preference of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotype for indigenous rhizobia was examined. The nodule occupancy of serotype 110 was significantly higher in the bacteroids of the nodules from the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-rgenotypes than in those from the other genotypes, non Rj-, Rj ₂ Rj _3-, and Rj ₄-cultivars. These results demonstrated that the Rj ₂ Rj ³ Rj ⁴-genotype prefers more actively serogroup USDA110 to the others of rhizobia. Thus, Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotype is superior to non- Rj-, Rj ₂ Rj ₃-, and Rj ₄-genotypes for the formation of efficient nodules for nitrogen fixation.     

Soybean preference for Bradyrhizobium japonicum for nodulation

For examining the probability of increase in the occupation ratio of inoculated rhizobium in nodules, various Rj-soybean cultivars including the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines of soybean were grown in a field of the Kyushu University Farm. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 that carries uptake hydrogenase (Hup⁺) was used as an inoculum. The relative efficiency of nitrogen fixation generally increased by the inoculation. However, there were no significant differences in the effects among the genotypes of the host plants. The occupation ratio of serogroup USDA110 in the nodules on the taproot of the inoculated plants was in the range of 77–100%, suggesting that the B. japonicum strain USDA110 infected taproots immediately after inoculation. The occupation ratios in the nodules on the lateral roots were 53–67, 40–86, 63–83, and 62–77% in inoculated plants of the non-Rj-, Rj ₂ Rj ₃-, Rj ₄-, and Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, respectively, and they decreased in all the genotypes with the progression of growth. At the time of the first sampling, the occupation ratios on the lateral roots of these Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes showed values intermediate between those of IAC-2 (Rj ₂ Rj ₃) and Hill (Rj ₄) , which were the parent cultivars of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines, B340, B349, and C242. The reduction in the occupation ratio of the serogroup USDA110 for about 1 month after the first sampling was the lowest (0.13–0.16) in the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding B349, followed by the non-Rj- and Rj ₂ Rj ₃-genotypes and highest (0.52–0.69) in the Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding Hill. Therefore, it was considered that the population of compatible rhizobia with host soybean plants increased in the rhizosphere with the progression of the development and growth. The results showed that with the expansion of the root area of host plants, the occupation ratio of type A rhizobia including the serogroup USDA110 was high. Therefore, the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes were superior to other Rj-genotypes in terms of the inoculation effects of nodulation type A rhizobium, B. japonicum USDA110. However, the preference of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotype for serogroup USDA110 is not sufficient to rule out the competition with the other serogroups in this study. Therefore, the study should be centered on the isolation of more efficient (Hup⁺) and highly compatible rhizobial strains with the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄- genotypes.     

Repeated sequence RSα is diagnostic for Bradyhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii

The genome of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B. elkanii contains multiple copies of the repeated DNA sequence RSα. A collection of 18 B. japonicum, 4 B. elkanii and 72 other bacterial strains was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of primers specific for RSα. Only strains of B. japonicum and B. elkanii gave the predicted amplification product. Restriction analysis of PCR products obtained from different strains of B. japonicum showed that the RSα sequence was generally conserved. The usefulness of RSα as a specific probe for Bradyrhizobium strains capable of nodulating soybean was also demonstrated. Received: 11 May 1995     

Nodulation and competitiveness of gusA-marked Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017 in soybean

Attempts to improve the symbiotic nitrogen fixation with effective (Brady) rhizobium strains do not always succeed under field conditions due to the lower nodulation competitiveness of the introduced strains than that of the indigenous rhizobia (Triplett and Sadowsky 1992). An introduced strain needs to be marked for monitoring its nodule occupancy under competitive nodulation conditions.     

慢生型大豆根瘤菌nfeC基因的定位

在前期工作中 ,从慢生型大豆根瘤菌菌株 GX2 0 1的基因文库中筛选到一个含 nfe C基因同源片段的重组质粒 p GXN2 0 1。在本工作中 ,将 nfe C基因同源片段定位在 4 kb Cla I Xba I片段上。对该片段的部分序列分析表明与已报道的 nfe C基因具有 95%的同源性     

Determination of Rhizobitoxine and Dihydrorhizobitoxine in Soybean Plants by Amino Acid Analyzer

Investigations were carried out on the effect of the activity ratio of potassium to calcium and magnesium in the nutrient solution applied by drip irrigation on the growth and nutrient uptake of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Great Lakes 366) grown on Tottori sand dune soil.

The of the soil solution was influenced by that of the nutrient solution. Calcium nutrition of lettuce was not influenced by the in the soil solution. However, the magnesium nutrition was improved at a low activity ratio, which resulted in the alleviation of the physiological injury.     

慢生型大豆根瘤菌nfe基因的分子克隆

ｎｆｅＣ基因是从慢生型大豆根瘤菌中克隆到的,与竞争结瘤有关的基因。本研究从慢生型大豆根瘤菌菌株ＧＸ２０１的ｐＬＡＦＲ３为载体的基因文库中,筛选出与ｎｆｅ同源基因克隆。以转座子Ｔｎ５ｇｕｓＡ５诱变获得了ｇｕｓ基因表达的Ｔｎ５ｇｕｓＡ５插入突变质粒。     

丛枝菌根真菌与根瘤菌接种对大豆根瘤分布及磷素吸收的影响

在温室条件下,采用石英砂盆栽试验研究了大豆(冀豆6号)接种丛枝菌根真菌（Glomous mosseae）与根瘤菌 （Bradyrhizobium japonicum）对根瘤的形成、分布以及磷素吸收效率的影响。结果表明,大豆生长至开花期（接种后56 d）,与单接种根瘤菌处理相比,双接种AM真菌和根瘤菌显著增加大豆生物量、氮、磷含量、根系上的总根瘤数。单接种根瘤菌条件下,总根瘤数的48.4%分布在主根上,51.6%分布在侧根上;根瘤菌与AM真菌双接种时,总根瘤数的32.5%分布在主根上,67.5%分布在侧根上。双接种处理的侧根根瘤的固氮酶活性显著高于单接种处理的。双接种条件下大豆侧根中AMF侵染增强,尤其是结根瘤侧根上的AM真菌的侵染率高于未结瘤的侧根的菌根侵染率。接种后28 d单接种菌根真菌处理显著高于双接种处理的植株磷的吸收效率;而56 d 时趋势相反。以上结果表明,AM真菌侵染改变根瘤在大豆根系上的分布,根瘤数量、分布与结根瘤侧根上AM真菌的侵染强度存在正相关关系。     

Inhibition of growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroid by spermidine and spermine in yeast extract

Abstract

Bacteroids are defined as the symbiotic forms of Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium cells in the root nodules of their legume host. The differentiation to bacteroids involves various physiological changes and may be associated with some genetical changes. Single-colony isolates from a nodule formed by a Bradyrhizobium strain often differed in their effectiveness and intrinsic antibiotic resistance (Weaver and Wright 1987; Ozawa unpublished data). Detailed analysis of the changes in the gene structure requires the isolation of individual bacteroids from a nodule. However it has been reported that the viability of bacteroids in culture is very low and only a small fraction of a bacteroid population could produce colonies on yeast extract-mannitol (YEM) agar (Sutton et al. 1977). Bergersen (1974) concluded that the reversion of bacteroids to the vegetative, growing form is very rare.     

慢生型大豆根瘤菌菌株GX201的脯氨酸脱氢酶基因(putA)的分子克隆

根据已报道的脯氨酸脱氢酶基因（ｐｕｔＡ）序列,通过ＰＣＲ方法,从慢生型大豆根瘤菌菌株ＧＸ２０１的总ＤＮＡ中扩增到—ＰＣＲ产物。序列分析表明,该ＰＣＲ产物的长度为４１８ｂｐ,与已报道的ｐｕｔＡ基因具有９３．５％的同源性。以广谱寄主范围质粒ｐＬＡＦＲ３为载体,在大肠杆菌ＤＨ５α中构建了ＧＸ２０１的基因文库,并以该ＰＣＲ产物为探针,从基因文库中筛选到一重组质粒ｐＧＸＮ３００。     

Survival and symbiotic properties of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in the presence of thiram: isolation of fungicide resistant strains

The fungicide thiram, widely used as a chemical seed protectant, induces a strong inhibition of primary nodulation in the crown zone of soybean roots. The present work reports on the isolation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains resistant to thiram, some of which (T3B, A86 and A2) maintained their capacity for nodulation and were still efficient symbionts, but some (A1, C1 and C6) lost the ability to stimulate nodulation. Characterization tests such as growth at different pH, denitrifying ability, salt tolerance, production of siderophores and phosphate solubilization were performed on the resistant strains. Inoculants produced from these strains could be appropriate for use with thiram-treated seeds, without causing a loss of bacteria viability. Received: 16 September 1996     

Effect of CO2-free air treatment on nitrogen fixation of soybeans inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Rhizobium fredii

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars Akisirome and Peking were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum Is-21 and Rhizobium fredii USDA 194, respectively, and were grown in cylindrical pots containing sterilized vermiculite which were aerated with CO₂-free air or ambient air to study the effects of CO₂ deficiency in the rhizosphere on plant growth, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation. The repressive effects of CO₂-free air treatment were more conspicuous in Peking than Akisirome, and nodule number, nodule mass, amount of biologically fixed N and plant growth of Peking were reduced remarkably by the CO₂-free air treatment.

Acetylene reduction activity (ARA) of Peking inoculated with USDA 194 and Akisirome inoculated Is-21 was assayed in the absence and presence of CO₂, ARA of Akisirome was not affected by the absence of CO₂, while that of Peking decreased drastically.

Based on these results, it was concluded that nitrogen fixation by Akisirome inoculated with B. japonicum Is-21 was not appreciably influenced by CO₂ deficiency in the rhizosphere, while that of Peking inoculated with R. fredii USDA 194 was severely repressed, and the decrease was estimated to be due to both the reduction of the nodule mass and specific nitrogen-fixing activity.     

Competitiveness of native Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains in two different soil types

Interstrain competitiveness is a key factor affecting the performance of rhizobium inoculant. In the present study five native strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, namely SSF 4, SSF 5, SSF 6, SSF 7 and SSF 8, were assessed for their competitiveness in nodulating soybean using serological methods. The strains were inoculated individually or with the type strain USDA 110 at a 1:1 ratio. Nodule occupancy determined by immunofluorescence and dot immunoblot assay revealed that under in vitro conditions SSF 8 is more competitive than USDA 110 whereas the others were less competitive. The competitive ability of these strains was also estimated in pot culture in the field. In red soil both SSF 8 and USDA 110 were equally competitive whereas in black soil SSF 8 competed better than USDA 110 and produced more nodules. In a black soil field trial using a randomized block design, USDA 110 or SSF 8, when inoculated alone, occupied the majority of the nodules and enhanced nodule dry weight and shoot biomass. SSF 8 was more competitive when the strains were co-inoculated. Received: 1 November 1996     

高固氮基因工程大豆根瘤菌的研制及其增氮效应

通过构建快生型大豆根瘤菌Ｂ５２的基因文库和三亲本杂交，将增效因子ＤＮＡ片段导入优良的慢生型大豆根瘤菌２２－１０中，获得携带来自快生菌增效因子ＤＮＡ片段的工程菌株ＨＮ３２，经盆栽和小区试验，证明基因工程菌株ＨＮ３２比出发菌株２２－１０平均增产６％，比对照平均增产１３．２％～１６．９％，相当于每公顷施７５～１５０ｋｇ尿素．１９９２～１９９５年，在广西推广应用基因工程大豆根瘤菌ＨＮ３２２．１６万ｈｍ２，每公顷平均增产１９％，投入产出比１：３０。增加经济效益１４０９．８万元。     

菌根与根瘤菌联合应用对复垦矿区根际土壤环境的改良后效

为了进一步确定微生物复垦对土壤的持续修复能力,在神东矿区活鸡兔开采沉陷试验基地,接种丛枝菌根真菌和大豆根瘤菌改良农用地土壤,已取得了较好的微生物复垦效果,经过2 a的退耕撂荒以后,对微生物复垦后效进行系统地研究。研究结果表明,撂荒后,接菌小区根外菌丝密度、根系侵染率和pH值均显著高于对照小区,分别比对照提高了90%、52%和1.3%;接菌小区细菌数量、微生物总量、有效磷含量、电导率和酸性磷酸酶活性也明显高于对照小区,但差异不显著。撂荒后与撂荒前相比,土壤呈退化趋势,但接菌小区菌丝密度几乎增加了1倍,差异显著,同时侵染率、细菌数量和酸性磷酸酶活性均明显升高,差异不显著;而在对照小区中,菌丝密度稍有增加,侵染率、细菌数量和酸性磷酸酶活性均明显降低,且差异不显著。利用丛枝菌根真菌与大豆根瘤菌联合作为绿色环保肥料,能够有效改善根际土壤环境,减轻土壤的退化程度,在弃耕状态下也能发挥良好的效用,对土地贫瘠的开采沉陷地进行生态修复具有重大意义。     

Serological properties and intrinsic antibiotic resistance of soybean bradyrhizobia isolated from Thailand

A group of Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from soybean plants in Thailand did not correspond to any known DNA homology groups of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii reported by Hollis et al. (J. Gen. Microbiol., 123, 215–222, 1981). To clarify the phenotypic characteristics of the group, serological properties and intrinsic antibiotic resistance (IAR) profile of 94 Thai strains were compared with those of USDA and Japanese strains. Indirect ELISA tests for each Thai strain were performed agaiIl.st polyclonal antisera prepared against 15 USDA standard serotype strains of B. japonicum and B. elkanii. Among the 94 Thai strains tested, 36 which were previously identified as B. elkanii, with the exception of one strain, were strongly responsive to an antiserum prepared against USDA 31. The remaining 58 strains, with the exception of two strains, showed multiple cross reactions which were peculiar to the Thai strains. These serological reaction patterns did not correspond to any known serogroups labeled as B. japonicum and B. elkanii. In the IAR test, the taxonomically unknown Thai soybean bradyrhizobia exhibited a high level of resistance to neomycin (50 µg/mL), polymyxin (50 µg/mL), nalidixic acid (15 µg/mL), and kanamycin (15 µg/mL). Kanamycin could thus be useful in combination with neomycine and nalidixic acid for distinguishing between the unknown Thai strains and strains of B. japonicum and B. elkanii. Our results demonstrated that the unknown Thai strains were serologically and IAR-phenotypically remote from both B. japonicum and B. elkanii.     

Determination of competitive abilities of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains in soils from soybean production regions in South Africa

Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain CB 1809 was recently chosen to replace strain WB 1 in commercial soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] inoculants in South Africa, the selection criterion being N₂-fixing effectiveness. Nodulation competitiveness is an additional characteristic required of inoculants and was determined for CB 1809 and WB 1 as well as two other strains, USDA 110 and a Brazilian strain 965, using the gusA marker gene to identify strains. Initial experiments with plants grown in sterile sand showed that the competitive index of strain WB 1 was less than that of the other strains. Further comparisons used plants grown in five soils containing established populations of B. japonicum. When strains were applied in peat inoculum to seed at a rate of 1,000 cells per seed in a soil containing 300 rhizobia g^–1, significant differences in nodule occupancy were detected and strains ranked in the order 965>CB 1809>USDA 110>WB 1. The remaining four soils each contained about 10⁶ rhizobia g^–1 and 5×10⁶ cells were applied per seed. Nodule occupancy by inoculant strains ranged from 22% to 81% between soils. In this experiment, WB 1 was consistently the poorest performer and its competitiveness was significantly less than CB 1809. The competition results supported the recent decision to replace WB 1 with CB 1809 in commercial inoculants. Although WB 1 had been used in inoculants over a period of 19 years, this strain was detected in only one soil, where it comprised 8% of isolates. In contrast, a substantial proportion (32–78%) of isolates from the soils corresponded serologically to a former inoculant strain WB 66, which had been discontinued in 1966. This illustrates the difficulty of replacing a resident population with an introduced strain. The effect of naturalized populations on the establishment of CB 1809 in South African soils will need monitoring Received: 23 November 1999