Abstract
Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii was detected in soil from 41 of 47 plots, within nine sewage sludge-treated sites with different soil characteristics and heavy metal contents. However, although population size varied widely, there was no consistent correlation with soil heavy metal concentration. Indigenous populations in 20 plots within four selected sites retained their ability to induce effective nodule formation after incubation of soil in the dark for 165 days. In sterilized (γ-irradiated) soil, Rhizobium survival varied from 0.01% to 95% depending on the soil sample and strain used. Metal-resistant strains with non-mucoid colonies survived less well than mucoid metal-sensitive strains.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 26 June 2000/Accepted: 31 July 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Purchase, D., Miles, R. Survival and Nodulating Ability of Indigenous and Inoculated Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii in Sterilized and Unsterilized Soil Treated with Sewage Sludge. Curr Microbiol 42, 59–64 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002840010179
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002840010179