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Light-stimulated 14CO2 uptake and acetylene reduction by bacteriochlorophyll containing stem nodule isolate BTAi 1

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Summary

Bradyrhizobial strain BTAi 1 nodulates both stems and roots of Aeschynomene spp. Previous work has shown that it contains bacteriochlorophyll a and forms photosynthetic reaction centers, and has provided indirect evidence of photosynthesis by bacteroids within stem nodules. Here we report physiological and biochemical characteristics of BTAi 1 ex planta, which also suggest the presence of photosynthetic activity. Light-stimulated uptake of 14CO2 by BTAi 1 was detected at all stages of growth. Inhibitors of photosynthesis, 1,10-orthophenanthroline and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), and the uncoupler NH4Cl, immediately suppressed light-driven 14CO2 uptake and increased O2 uptake. BTAi 1 is strictly aerobic and was unable to grow without organic C even in the light; also, it was unable to grow chemoautotrophically in an atmosphere enriched with H2 and CO2. In micro-aerobic conditions, strain BTAi 1 expressed acetylene reducing activity ex planta in an N-free medium. The highest rates of light-stimulated 14CO2 uptake and acetylene-reducing activity occurred during the exponential and early stationary phases of growth. Acetylene-reducing rates at a low glucose concentration were increased following a light-dark cycle in comparison with continuous dark conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EMBRAPA-CNPSoja, Cx. Postal 1061, CEP 86001, 970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Mariangela Hungria

  2. Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research at Cornell University, Tower Road, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Joan M. Ellis, Ralph W. F. Hardy & Allan R. J. Eaglesham

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  1. Mariangela Hungria
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  2. Joan M. Ellis
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  3. Ralph W. F. Hardy
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  4. Allan R. J. Eaglesham
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Hungria, M., Ellis, J.M., Hardy, R.W.F. et al. Light-stimulated 14CO2 uptake and acetylene reduction by bacteriochlorophyll containing stem nodule isolate BTAi 1. Biol Fertil Soils 15, 208–214 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361613

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361613

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