Phylogenetic Analysis of Soybean-Nodulating Rhizobia Isolated from Alkaline Soils in Vietnam

In order to analyze the phylogeny of soybean-nodulating bacteria in alkaline soils in Vietnam, indigenous soybean-nodulating bacteria were isolated from root nodules by cultivating three kinds of Rj -soybean cultivars on two alkaline soils in Vietnam. The 120 isolates were classified into two major genera of soybean-nodulating rhizobia, namely Bradyrhizobium and Sinorhizobium genera, based on a growth analysis on medium and PCR-RFLP analyses of 16S rDNA and of the 16S–23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Most of the isolates of B. japonicum were extra-slow-growing and their ITS types were similar to that of B. japonicum USDA 135. They were not isolated from the soybean cultivar CNS used as Rj₂Rj₃ genotype. Isolates of Sinorhizobium were divided into two groups, S. fredii and S. sp., based on a PCR-RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA. Furthermore, PCR-RFLP analysis of the 16S–23S rDNA ITS region enabled to separate them into five types, three ITS types associated with S. fredii and two with S. sp. Sinorhizobium was frequently isolated from the three soybean cultivars on two soils. From the isolate ratio, it was suggested that B. japonicum strains similar to B. japonicum USDA 135 and S. fredii predominated in the alkaline soils of Vietnam. Additionally, our findings indicated that the Rj -genotypes affected not only the compatibility, but also the preference for nodulation between the host soybean and rhizobia.     

Distribution and biodiversity of soybean rhizobia in the soils of Shennongjia forest reserve,China

Soil samples were collected at an altitude of 500, 1,060, 1,500, 1,950, 2,400 and 3,100 m, respectively, from Shennongjia, a forest reserve in Hubei province (central China). Their corresponding pHs were 5.50, 4.91, 5.64, 5.28, 5.49 and 4.60. By using a plant trap method, a total of 25 soybean rhizobia were isolated from the soil above an altitude of 1,500 m and all identified to be Sinorhizobium fredii. Their genetic biodiversity was characterized by 16S–23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and random amplification DNA (RAPD) analysis. All the tested strains produced a 2.1 kb 16S–23S rDNA ITS fragment. After digestion with three restriction endonucleases (HaeIII, MspI and CfoI), respectively, great variations in 16S–23S rDNA ITS PCR-RFLP patterns were observed. The tested strains could be differentiated into 11 ITS genotypes. The genotypes of rhizobia were not related to geographical location. Twelve primers were applied to RAPD analysis and a dendrogram was obtained, showing that all the strains (including reference strain S. fredii USDA205) were divided into two diverging groups. Moreover, each group could be further divided into two subgroups. Both RAPD and 16S–23S rDNA ITS PCR-RFLP analysis indicated that a high degree of genetic diversity existed among S. fredii strains isolated from Shennongjia virgin soils. Since Shennongjia is an unexploited forest region in central China and the gene centre of soybean is located in China, the symbiotic genes harboured by these strains may be of great importance and the rich diversity of these strains might contribute to the adaptation of soybean to an alpine environment.     

The effect of acidity on the production of signal molecules by Medicago roots and their recognition by Sinorhizobium

The Medicago sativa-Sinorhizobium symbiosis is challenged by acidity, resulting in generally poor nodulation and production. Medicago murex, however, can nodulate and grow at low pH. The effect of low pH on signal exchange in the Sinorhizobium-Medicago symbiosis was studied to gain a greater understanding of the basis for poor nodulation of M. sativa compared to M. murex. Root exudates from M. sativa and M. murex grown in buffered nutrient solution at pH 4.5, 5.8 and 7.0, were collected to measure the expression of nodB induction in Sinorhizobium. A nodB-gusA fusion was constructed and inserted into Sinorhizobium medicae strains WSM419 (acid tolerant) and CC169 (acid sensitive). We identified greater induction by root exudates from both Medicago spp. collected at pH 4.5 than at pH 5.8 and 7.0, less induction by M. murex than M. sativa and less induction of WSM419 than CC169. The same major inducing compounds, 4′,7-dihydroxyflavanone (liquiritigenin), 4′,7-dihydroxyflavone, and 2′,4′,4-trihydroxychalcone (isoliquiritigenin), were identified in exudates of M. murex and M. sativa at all pH values, although in increasing amounts at lower pH. Poor nodulation of M. sativa relative to M. murex under acid conditions is not the consequence of decreased induction of Sinorhizobium nodB by chemical inducers present in the root exudates of both species at low pH.     

耐酸耐铝毒苜蓿根瘤菌的筛选

从紫花苜蓿、天蓝苜蓿和南苜蓿植株上分离获得的22株根瘤菌菌株中筛选出5株耐酸较好的苜蓿根瘤菌菌株,分别为S0710、S0713、L0701、L0702和P0701,这5株菌株在pH值5的酸性条件下仍能正常生长,茼株S0713和P0701甚至能在pH值4的酸性条件下生长.酸性条件下菌株L0701和P0701对AI3+有较好的耐受性.而菌株S0710则对AI3+极为敏感.     

Flavonoids as inducers of extracellular proteins and exopolysaccharides of Sinorhizobium fredii

 Some flavonoids present in root exudates are inducers of nod genes in rhizobia-legume symbioses. They also induce changes in the molecular weight, structure, and level of secretion of some extracellular proteins, exopolysaccharides (EPS) and lipopolysaccharides. We showed that incubation of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA 257 with four flavonoids (genistein, naringenin, chrysin, and apigenin) promoted its growth in the late log phase. By contrast, only genistein accelerated the growth of S. fredii TU 6 under the same conditions. When both strains were incubated with naringenin the synthesis of EPS decreased. However, this compound increased the secretion of extracellular proteins in the early log phase. The specific mode of action of naringenin is still not clear. Received: 1 July 1998     

Wilt disease management and enhancement of growth and yield of Cajanus cajan (L) var. Manak by bacterial combinations amended with chemical fertilizer

Root nodulating Sinorhizobium fredii KCC5 and Pseudomonas fluorescens LPK2 were isolated from nodules of Cajanus cajan and disease suppressive soil of tomato rhizosphere, respectively. Both strains produced IAA, siderophore, solubilized insoluble phosphate, showed chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities, and strongly inhibited the growth of Fusarium udum. It also caused degradation and digestion of cell wall components, resulting in hyphal perforations, empty cell (halo) formation, shrinking and lysis of fungal mycelia along with significant degeneration of conidia. LPK2 produced volatile cyanogen (HCN). Combinations of S. fredii KCC5 and P. fluorescens LPK2 with half dose of chemical fertilizers showed a significant increase in seed germination (94%) while seed germination with co-inoculated strains (KCC5 + LPK2), KCC5 and LPK2 alone was 90, 84 and 82% respectively as compared to control 77%. After 120 days of sowing, per plant number of pods, nodules, shoot length, root length, shoot weight and root weight were greater for the combination with half dose of chemical fertilizers compared to the control. Combinations of S. fredii KCC5 and P. fluorescens LPK2 with half dose of chemical fertilizers resulted in an 82% increase in grain yield per hectare compared to the control. Both strains KCC5 and LPK2 led to proto-cooperation as evidenced by synergism, aggressive colonization of the roots, and enhanced growth, suggesting potential biocontrol efficacy against Fusarium wilt in C. cajan.     

16株快生型大豆根瘤菌生物学与分子生物学特性的比较研究

以快生型大豆根瘤菌标准菌株ＵＳＤＡ２０５为对照，对自我国吉林处和湖北省土壤中分离的１５株快生型大豆根瘤菌的培养特性，碳氮源利用、生长速度、耐盐性、ＰＨ适应范围、天然抗一、质粒图谱、Ｇ＋Ｃ克分子、血清学特性和共生固氮效率进行了系统的对比研究，并选择２个随机引物经ＰＣＲ扩增比较分析了供式菌ＰＡＰＤＳ扩增谱带的多样性。     

硒对小麦生理功能的影响之研究进展

硒是小麦生长所必需的微量元素。硒在小麦体内通过吸收转化，能够促进小麦新陈代谢，增强小麦生物抗氧化作用和对环境胁迫的抗性，从而刺激生长发育、提高产量、改善品质。通过施入外源硒肥的方式增加小麦中的硒含量，使硒进入食物链，是为人体安全补硒的有效途经。从上述几方面综述了硒在小麦中的生理功能及富硒小麦的研究进展。     

Ascophyllum nodosum Extract and Its Organic Fractions Stimulate Rhizobium Root Nodulation and Growth of Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)

The effects of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extracts (ANE) on nitrogen (N)–fixing nodules and growth of alfalfa plants were studied under greenhouse conditions. The treatment of alfalfa roots increased the number of total nodules per plant with ANE (69%) and organic sub-fractions methanol (20%) and chloroform (35%) at 1 g L^?1 concentration. The number of functional nodules was greater per plant in ANE (36%) and its organic sub-fraction chloroform (105%). Maximum increase in shoot length was observed in ANE-treated plants (42%) and chloroform-treated plants (42%). Root length was longer in the chloroform fraction (15%), whereas the shoot dry-weight accumulation was greater in plants treated with ANE (118%), methanol (85%), and chloroform (85%) than the control. Root dry-weight accumulation increased in plants treated with ANE (118%) and chloroform (69%) compared to the control. Further studies are under way to identify the chemical components in ANE and organic fractions.     

接种大豆根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium fredii)遗传工程菌株LMG101对大豆的增产效应

 笔者曾报道带外源肺炎克氏杆菌 (Klebsiellapneumoniae)nifA的大豆根瘤菌 (Sinorhizobium fredii)工程菌株LMG10 1在实验室条件下具有较高的结瘤固氮效率 ,用其接种大豆幼苗可以提高大豆生物量。本项工作通过 3年的田间小区试验 ,对工程菌S .frediiLMG10 1的田间施用效果进行了研究。试验表明 ,接种工程菌S .frediiLMG10 1能有效地提高大豆的结瘤固氮效率和大豆产量。接种工程菌S .frediiLMG10 1的大豆植株固氮酶活力分别比对照和接种出发菌植株高 3.1倍和 2 .1倍 ,与之相应工程菌占瘤率也较高 ,大豆田间产量分别比对照和接种出发菌提高 10 %和 5 %以上 ,统计差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。