Nodulation studies on legumes exotic to Australia: Hedysarum coronarium

Abstract Symbiotic experiments in glasshouse, controlled environment cabinet, and field were conducted with four lines of sulla ( Hedysarum coronarium ) and 15 strains of Rhizobium spp. This plant is highly Rhizobium -specific and appropriate strains are most unlikely to occur naturally in Australia. Under several sets of experimental conditions, H. coronarium nodulated abundantly and effectively with homologous rhizobia introduced from Spain and Italy. The optimum temperature for nitrogen fixation was relatively low (approx. 21°C) but significant interactions between line of host, strain of rhizobia, and growth temperature were frequent. The rhizobia were persistent in soil.     

Transfer of the Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii symbiotic plasmid pRtr5a to a strain of Rhizobium sp. that nodulates on Hedysarum coronarium

The Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii symbiotic plasmid pRtr5a was transferred to the Rhizobium sp. (Hedysarum coronarium) strain RB16. Transconjugants carrying pRtr5a ineffectively nodulated Trifolium repens, T. pratense and T. alexandrinum and were unable to nodulate H. coronarium plants. Agarose gel electrophoresis of transconjugants showed that all had lost an indigenous plasmid (230 Md). These results suggest that this plasmid harbours the symbiotic determinants for nodulation on H. coronarium.     

中国岩黄芪属(豆科)植物资料增补

根据对标本的研究及文献资料的整理,证实了西伯利亚岩黄芪在中国的分布;山竹岩黄芪在新疆的分布新记录。另外,还报道了地中海岩黄芪在陕西的栽培记录。     

Metabolic properties, stress tolerance and macromolecular profiles of rhizobia nodulating Hedysarum coronarium

The drought-tolerant legume Hedysarum coronarium is a Mediterranean species valued as a forage crop for its high performance in stressful conditions. The plant shows peculiar capabilities of nodulating above pH 9 and thriving in highly calcareous soils. With the aim of providing an adequate characterization of its bacterial symbiotic partner, a study was undertaken, approaching from several viewpoints the physiology and structural features of bacteria isolated from nodules of H. coronarium. Tests involved trophic capabilities on different carbon and nitrogen sources, vitamin requirements, and resistance to factors including antibiotics, heavy metals, salinity, pH, and temperature. Enzyme activities, including those of cellulase, pectinase, urease, beta-galactosidase, nitrate and nitrite reductase, were evaluated. The DNA G + C percentage content was determined. Species-specific bacteriophages were isolated and a strain-typing grid established. In order to characterize further and fingerprint the different Rhizobium 'hedysari' isolates, electrophoretic pattern of proteins, plasmid DNA, and digested genomic DNA (in pulsed-field gel separation) were compared. Adansonian taxonomy yielded similarity clusters of the different isolates.     

Metabolic properties, stress tolerance and macromolecular profiles of rhizobia nodulating Hedysarum coronarium

The drought-tolerant legume Hedysarum coronarium is a Mediterranean species valued as a forage crop for its high performance in stressful conditions. The plant shows peculiar capabilities of nodulating above pH 9 and thriving in highly calcareous soils. With the aim of providing an adequate characterization of its bacterial symbiotic partner, a study was undertaken, approaching from several viewpoints the physiology and structural features of bacteria isolated from nodules of H. coronarium . Tests involved trophic capabilities on different carbon and nitrogen sources, vitamin requirements, and resistance to factors including antibiotics, heavy metals, salinity, pH, and temperature. Enzyme activities, including those of cellulase, pectinase, urease, β-galactosidase, nitrate and nitrite reductase, were evaluated. The DNA G + C percentage content was determined. Species-specific bacteriophages were isolated and a strain-typing grid established. In order to characterize further and fingerprint the different Rhizobium 'hedysari' isolates, electrophoretic pattern of proteins, plasmid DNA, and digested genomic DNA (in pulsed-field gel separation) were compared. Adansonian taxonomy yielded similarity clusters of the different isolates.     

Gamma proteobacteria can nodulate legumes of the genus Hedysarum

The bacteria hosted in the root nodules of the three Mediterranean wild legume species Hedysarum carnosum, Hedysarum spinosissimum subsp. capitatum, and Hedysarum pallidum, growing in native stands in different habitats in Algeria were isolated. Bacteria were recovered on yeast-mannitol-agar or on minimal media from a total of 52 nodules. Isolates were analyzed by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) using the enzyme CfoI, and further sorted by RAPD fingerprinting. A total of ten different types were found and their amplified 16S rDNA was sequenced and compared to databases. The BLAST alignment indicates that all the species whose sequences share 98 to 100% identity to the bacteria found in these nodules belong to the class Gammaproteobacteria and include Pantoea agglomerans, Enterobacter kobei, Enterobacter cloacae, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Escherichia vulneris, and Pseudomonas sp. No evidence of any rhizobial-like sequence was found even upon amplifying from the bulk of microbial cells obtained from the squashed nodules, suggesting that the exclusive occupants of the nodules formed by the three plants tested are members of the orders Enterobacteriales or Pseudomonadales. This is the first report of Gammaproteobacteria associated with legume nodules. Despite the presence of the related crop plant Hedysarum coronarium, specifically nodulated by Rhizobium sullae, these three Hedysarum species demonstrate to have undergone a separate path in terms of endophytic interactions with bacteria. An hypothesis to account for differences between the symbiotic relationships engaged by man-managed legumes, and those found in plants whose ecology is independent from human action, is discussed.     

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is useful for finding markers associated with QTL for architectural trait in Hedysarum coronarium L

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) has been proposed as a valuable tool for finding molecular markers linked to QTL controlling architectural trait. Segregation of polymorphic AFLP fragments was followed in F2 offsprings Hedysarum coronarium derived from two native wild accesions crossing: Jebel Zit x El Haouaria, which had previously characterised by morphological and AFLP markers. A comparison of profiles from the morphologically contrasted parental individuals and F2 offspring has been assessed using five AFLP primer combinations. These generated 178 bands revealed by silver-stained denaturing polyacrylamide gels, of which 150 were polymorphic. Several AFLP markers appeared to be implied in the orthotropic form that can assist the selection and improve Hedysarum forage crop.     

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of rhizobia isolated from pasture legumes native of Sardinia and Asinara Island

Thirty-five rhizobial strains were isolated from nodules of Lotus edulis, L. ornithopodioides, L. cytisoides, Hedysarum coronarium, Ornithopus compressus and Scorpiurus muricatus growing in Sardinia and Asinara Island. Basic characteristics applied to identification of rhizobia such as symbiotic properties, antibiotic- and salt-resistance, temperate-sensitivities, utilization of different sources of carbon and nitrogen were studied. The results from the 74 metabolic tests were used for cluster analysis of the new rhizobial isolates and 28 reference strains, belonging to previously classified and unclassified fast-, intermediate- and slow-growing rhizobia. All strains examined were divided into two large groups at a linkage distance of 0.58. None of the reference strains clustered with the new rhizobial isolates, which formed five subgroups almost respective of their plant origin. RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified 16S-23S rDNA IGS showed that the levels of similarity between rhizobial isolates from Ornithopus, Hedysarum and Scorpiurus, and the type strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum, Mesorhizobium loti, M. ciceri, M. mediterraneum, Sinorhizobium meliloti and Bradyrhizobium japonicum were not more than 30%. Thus, it can be assumed that these groups of new rhizobial isolates are not closely related to the validly described rhizobial species.     

Diversity of Plasmid Profiles and Conservation of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation Genes in Newly Isolated Rhizobium Strains Nodulating Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.)

Forty-five Rhizobium strains nodulating sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.), isolated from plants grown in different sites in Menorca Island and southern Spain, were examined for plasmid content and the location and organization of nif (nitrogen fixation) and nod (nodulation) sequences. A great diversity in both number and size of the plasmids was observed in this native population of strains, which could be distributed among 19 different groups according to their plasmid profiles. No correlation was found between plasmid profile and geographical origin of the strains. In each strain a single plasmid ranging from 187 to 349 megadaltons hybridized to Rhizobium meliloti nifHD and nodD DNA, and in three strains the spontaneous loss of this plasmid resulted in the loss of the nodulation capacity. In addition to the symbiotic plasmid, 18 different cryptic plasmids were identified. A characteristic cryptic plasmid of >1,000 megadaltons was present in all strains. Total DNA hybridization experiments, with nifHD and portions of nodC and nodD genes (coding for common nodulation functions) from R. meliloti as probes, demonstrated that both the sequence and organization of nif and common nod genes were highly conserved within rhizobia nodulating sulla. Evidence for reiteration of nodD sequences and for linkage of nodC to at least one copy of nodD was obtained for all the strains examined. From these results we conclude that Rhizobium strains nodulating sulla are a homogeneous group of symbiotic bacteria that are closely related to the classical fast-growing group of rhizobia.     

Unicellular, aerobic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria of the genus Cyanothece.

Two marine, unicellular aerobic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, Cyanothece strain BH63 and Cyanothece strain BH68, were isolated from the intertidal sands of the Texas Gulf coast in enrichment conditions designed to favor rapid growth. By cell morphology, ultrastructure, a GC content of 40%, and aerobic nitrogen fixation ability, these strains were assigned to the genus Cyanothece. These strains can use molecular nitrogen as the sole nitrogen source and are capable of photoheterotrophic growth in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and glycerol. The strains demonstrated a doubling time of 10 to 14 h in the presence of nitrate and 16 to 20 h under nitrogen-fixing conditions. Rapid growth of nitrogen-fixing cultures can be obtained in continuous light even when the cultures are continuously shaken or bubbled with air. Under 12-h alternating light and dark cycles, the aerobic nitrogenase activity was confined to the dark phase. The typical rates of aerobic nitrogenase activity in Cyanothece strains BH63 and BH68 were 1,140 and 1,097 nmol of C2H2 reduced per mg (dry weight) per h, respectively, and nitrogenase activity was stimulated twofold by light. Ultrastructural observations revealed that numerous inclusion granules formed between the photosynthetic membranes in cells grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions. These Cyanothece strains posses many characteristics that make them particularly attractive for a detailed analysis of the interaction of nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis in an aerobic diazotroph.     

Characterisation of wild legume nodulating bacteria (LNB) in the infra-arid zone of Tunisia

We report on the isolation and the characterization of nitrogen-fixing root nodule bacteria isolated from natural legumes in a region of South Tunisia corresponding to the infra-arid climatic zone. A collection of 60 new bacterial root nodule isolates were obtained from 19 legume species belonging to the genera Acacia, Anthyllis, Argyrolobium, Astragalus, Calycotome, Coronilla, Ebenus, Genista, Hedysarum, Hippocrepis, Lathyrus, Lotus, Medicago, Ononis. The isolates were characterised by (1) comparative 16S ARDRA using 7 enzymes, (2) total cell protein SDS-PAGE analysis and (3) 16S rDNA sequencing. The results show that these isolates are diverse and belong to the genera Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium. Bradyrhizobium were further characterised by 16S-23S rDNA IGS sequencing. Surprisingly strains nodulating Astragalus cruciatus, Lotus creticus and Anthyllis henoniana were identified as Rhizobium galegae, a species recorded only as endosymbiont of Galega officinalis and G. orientalis in northern regions so far.     

Transposon mediation allows a symbiotic plasmid of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii to become a symbiosis island in Agrobacterium and Rhizobium

The symbiotic plasmid (pSym) of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii 4S5, which carries Tn5-mob, was successfully transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens A136 by using a conjugation method. The resulting transconjugants induced the development of ineffective nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots of white clover seedlings. Depending on the manner in which the pSym was retained, the transconjugants were divided into two groups of strains, Afp and Afcs. pSym was retained as a plasmid in the Afp strains but was integrated into the int gene encoding a phage-related integrase on the linear chromosome of A. tumefaciens A136 in strain Afcs1 (one of the Afcs strains) to form a symbiosis island. Conjugation was performed between strain Afcs1 and R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii H1 (a pSym-cured derivative of wild-type strain 4S), and the Rhizobium H1tr strains were screened as transconjugants. Eighteen of the H1tr strains induced effective nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots of the host plants. pSym was transferred into all of the transconjugants, except for strain H1tr1, at the same size as pSym of strain 4S5. In strain H1tr1, pSym was integrated into the chromosome as a symbiosis island. These data suggest that pSym can exist among Rhizobium and Agrobacterium strains both as a plasmid and as a symbiosis island with transposon mediation.     

A new species of Hedysarum (Fabaceae) in Iran and other new Hedysarum records

Hedysarum al-shehbazii , a new species endemic to Iran, is described and illustrated. This species belongs to Hedysarum section Multicaulia . It is confined to the western part of Iran (Kermanshah Province), and is known from a single population close to the Iraq frontier, although possibly also growing in the adjoining eastern part of Iraq. The conservation status of this species is 'vulnerable' according to World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria. In addition, H. varium and H. syricum are reported as new records from a single gathering close to the Turkish frontier. Moreover, H. kotschyi and H. pogonocarpum are transferred from Hedysarum section Crinifera to Hedysarum section Multicaulia .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 505–512.     

薇甘菊根际可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌的分离鉴定与促生作用

【目的】固氮菌和氨化细菌是氮循环产生生物有效氮的关键起始环节,直接影响了外来入侵植物的生长速度和扩散进程。然而,关于典型入侵植物薇甘菊根际可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌的研究尚未见报道,这在很大程度上制约了我们对薇甘菊根际高效的氮素转化机制的深刻理解。【方法】采用传统平板涂布培养法对野外采集的薇甘菊根际土壤中的可培养固氮菌和氨化细菌进行了分离鉴定,并进行了接种验证实验。【结果】结果表明,入侵植物薇甘菊根际土壤中的固氮菌和氨化细菌的菌群密度显著高于两个本地伴生植物(火炭母和鸡屎藤),其固氮效率及有机氮矿化效率也优于2个本地种;系统发育分析表明：薇甘菊根际的固氮菌菌株归类于5个属,分别为伯克霍尔德氏菌属(Burkholderia)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)、植物杆菌属(Phytobacter)、新肠杆菌属(Kosakonia)和根瘤菌属(Rhizobium);氨化细菌归类于7个属,分别为沙雷氏菌属(Serratia)、不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、博德特氏菌属(Bordetella)、寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)、苍...     

Acetylene reduction (nitrogen fixation) by enterobacteriaceae isolated from paper mill process waters

Using selective media containing galactitol, over 130 Enterobacteriaceae have been isolated from paper mill process waters collected from different localities. These bacteria were extensively characterized and tested for acetylene-reducing (nitrogen-fixing) activity under anaerobic conditions. High activity was found in representatives of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Erwinia herbicola, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter intermedius, and Escherichia coli. Under argon, nitrogenase synthesis was generally not repressed by 5 mM l-glutamate, l-aspartate, l-leucine or Casamino Acids (0.5 g/liter). In many strains, both the specific activities (nanomoles of C(2)H(4) per minute per milligram of protein) and the activities (nanomoles of C(2)H(4) per minute) had considerably declined after 24 h. In three selected strains, activity in intact cells grown under nitrogen was unaffected by the presence during assay of 10 mM l-amino acids or ammonium acetate. All of the strains examined were tolerant towards inactivation of nitrogen-fixing activity by 1.8% (vol/vol) oxygen during assay, and inactivation by up to 10% oxygen was partly reversible. Representatives of the six taxa synthesized nitrogenase in stirred aerobic cultures, though the protein concentrations attained were lower than under anaerobic conditions. It seems reasonable to suggest that under natural conditions, nitrogen fixation is able to contribute significantly to the nitrogen economy of the cells.     

Isolation of the replication DNA region from a Rhizobium plasmid and examination of its potential as a replicon for Rhizobiaceae cloning vectors

The DNA region essential for replication and stability of a native plasmid (pTM5) from Rhizobium sp. (Hedysarum) has been identified and isolated within a 5.4-kb PstI restriction fragment. The isolation of this region was accomplished by cloning endonuclease-restricted pTM5 DNA into a ColE1-type replicon and selecting the recombinant plasmids containing the pTM5 replicator (pTM5 derivative plasmids) by their ability to replicate in Rhizobium. DNA homology studies revealed that pTM5-like replicons are present in cryptic plasmids from some Rhizobium sp. (Hedysarum) strains but not in plasmids from strains of other Rhizobium species or Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The pTM5 derivative plasmids were able to replicate in Escherichia coli and A. tumefaciens and in a wide range of Rhizobium species. On the basis of stability assays in the absence of antibiotic selective pressure, the pTM5 derivative plasmids were shown to be highly stable in both free-living and symbiotic cells of Rhizobium sp. (Hedysarum). The stability of these plasmids in other species of Rhizobium and in A. tumefaciens varied depending on the host and on the plasmid. Most pTM5 derivative plasmids tested showed significantly higher symbiotic stability than RK2 derivative plasmids pRK290 and pAL618 in Rhizobium sp. (Hedysarum), R. meliloti, and R. leguminosarum by. phaseoli. Consequently, we consider that the constructed pTM5 derivative plasmids are potentially useful as cloning vectors for Rhizobiaceae.     

青海岩黄芪属(Hedysarum)一新变型

发表黄芪属一新变型.     

Revision of the Hordeum pusillum group

Four diploid South and North American species of Hordeum are revised, viz. H. flexuosum Nees ex Steud., H. euclaslon Steud., H. intercedens Nevski, and H. pusillum Nutt. The synonomy, distribution, chromosome numbers, and variation are treated.     

新疆棉田土壤固氮菌遗传多样性分析

利用ERIC-PCR和16SrDNA全序列测定方法,研究了新疆棉田土壤中分离获得的58株固氮菌的遗传多样性及系统发育。采用平均连锁法(UPGMA)分析ERIC-PCR的聚类结果表明在Watson距离为0.65左右时可以将供试菌株分为9个大群。选取ERIC-PCR各群中代表菌株进行16SrRNA全序列测定分析,结果表明这些菌株分别属于Enterobacter、Bacillus、Acinetobacter、Pseudomonas、Serratia和Yersinia6个属。     

Litter accumulation and biomass dynamics in riparian zones in tropical South America of the Asian invasive plant Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae)

ABSTRACT

Background: Promoting changes in abiotic conditions and ecosystem processes, such as decomposition, is a mechanism by which some exotic plant species displace native plants and become invasive.

Aims: We monitored ramets of Hedychium coronarium over 30 months to estimate the litter decay rate, biomass dynamics and litter accumulation over time in riparian sites invaded by the species in southeastern Brazil.

Methods: We measured the number, height, emergence and mortality of ramets in three environments invaded by H. coronarium (natural, rural and urban). We also measured litter decay in situ and in in vitro experiments. We used sinusoidal models to describe height fluctuation and exponential models to simulate litter decay and litter accumulation.

Results: Ramets of H. coronarium showed high seasonal variation in terms of height and emergence, as well as low litter decay. Accordingly, our models predicted high litter production and a seasonal pattern of litter accumulation in invaded sites.

Conclusions: H. coronarium produces a great amount of litter, which shows slow decay and hence seems to affect decomposition processes. Investigating seasonal variation on the effects of invasive species on ecosystem functioning shed light on the factors driving the success and impact of invasive plants.