Journal article
Diversity and specificity of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae on wild and cultivated legumes
Molecular Ecology, Vol.13(8), pp.2435-2444
2004
Abstract
The symbiotic partnerships between legumes and their root-nodule bacteria (rhizobia) vary widely in their degree of specificity, but the underlying reasons are not understood. To assess the potential for host-range evolution, we have investigated microheterogeneity among the shared symbionts of a group of related legume species. Host specificity and genetic diversity were characterized for a soil population of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae (Rlv) sampled using six wild Vicia and Lathyrus species and the crop plants pea (Pisum sativum) and broad bean (Vicia faba). Genetic variation among 625 isolates was assessed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of loci on the chromosome (ribosomal gene spacer) and symbiosis plasmid (nodD region). Broad bean strongly favoured a particular symbiotic genotype that formed a distinct phylogenetic subgroup of Rlv nodulation genotypes but was associated with a range of chromosomal backgrounds. Host range tests of 80 isolates demonstrated that only 34% of isolates were able to nodulate V. faba. By contrast, 89% were able to nodulate all the local wild hosts tested, so high genetic diversity of the rhizobial population cannot be ascribed directly to the diversity of host species at the site. Overall the picture is of a population of symbionts that is diversified by plasmid transfer and shared fairly indiscriminately by local wild legume hosts. The crop species are less promiscuous in their interaction with symbionts than the wild legumes.
Details
- Title
- Diversity and specificity of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae on wild and cultivated legumes
- Authors/Creators
- L.A. Mutch (Author/Creator) - University of YorkJ.P.W. Young (Author/Creator) - University of York
- Publication Details
- Molecular Ecology, Vol.13(8), pp.2435-2444
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005543560107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
38 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.97 Plant Pathology
- 3.97.892 Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology