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Studies on N2-fixing bacteria associated with the salt-tolerant grass,Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth

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Summary

N2-fixing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of naturally grown salt tolerant grass (Leptochloa fusca). A broad spectrum of diazotrophs was found to be associated with the roots ofL. fusca. the systematic position of the three isolates, NIAB-1, C-2 and Iso-2 was determined by morphological, biochemical and mol % (G+C) DNA contents. Two isolates were identified asKlebsiella pneumoniae (NIAB-1) andBeijerinckia sp. (Iso-2).15N enrichment studies confirmed the nitrogen fixing ability of the isolates. The effects of different levels of combined nitrogen (NO −3 & NH +4 ), pH (5.5–9.0) and salt (NaCl) on nitrogenase activity of the isolates were determined at various time intervals. All isolates exhibited nitrogenase activity even in the presence of 5 mmol/l NO −3 or NH +4 in a semi-solid medium after 24 h of growth. Maximum nitrogenase activity was observed at alkaline pH and all isolates were able to tolerate up to 3% NaCl in the medium.

Résumé

Des bactéries fixatrices de l'azote ont été isolées à partir de la rhizosphère de l'herbe halotoléranteLeptochloa fusca développée dans les conditions naturelles. Il a été constaté qu'un large spectre de diazotrophes est associé aux racines de la plante. La position taxonomique de 3 souches isolées, NIAB-1, C-2 et Iso-2, a été déterminée par des critères morphologiques et biochimiques et par le pourcentage de (G+C) de l'ADN. Deux souches on été identifiées commeKlebsiella pneumoniae (NIAB-1) etBeijerinckia sp. (Iso-2). Les études d'enrichissement en15N ont confirmé l'aptitude des souches à fixer l'azote. les effets de différents niveaux d'azote combiné (NO3 − et NH4 +), de pH (5.5–9.0) et de sel (NaCl) sur l'activité nitrogénasique des souches ont été déterminés à divers intervalles de temps. Toutes les souches présentent une activité nitrogènase après 24 h de croissance en milieu semi-solide, et cela même en présence de 5 mmol/l de NO3 − ou NH4 +. L'activité nitrogènase maximum est observée à pH alcalin, et toutes les souches tolèrent jusqu'à 3% de NaCl dans le milieu.

Resumen

Se han aíslado bacterias fijadoras de N2 en la rizosfera del hábitat natural de la graminea halófilaLeptochloa fusca. Un amplio espectro de diazotrofos se encontró asociado con las raíces deL. fusca. La posición sistemática de tres aíslados: NIAB-1, C-2 y Iso-2 se determinó utilizando sus características morfológicas, bioquímicas y el % (G+C) molar del ADN. El aíslado NIAB-1 se identificó comoKlebsiella pneumoniae y el aíslado Iso-2 comoBeijerinckia. sp. Estudios mediante15N confirmaron la habilidad fijadora de N2 de los aíslados. Se determinaron periodicamente los efectos de distintos niveles de nitrógeno combinado (NO3 − y NH4 +), pH (5.5–9.0) y sal (NaCl) en la actividad nitrogenásica de los aíslados. Todas las cepas aísladas mostraron actividad nitrogenásica incluso en presencia de 5mmol/l de NO3 − y NH4 + en un medio semisólido desqués de 24 h. de crecimiento. La actividad nitrogenásica máxima se observó a pH alcalino y todos loa aíslados eran capaces de tolerar hasta 3% de NaCl en el medio.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Jhang Road, P.O. Box 128, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Y. Zafar & K. A. Malik

  2. Institut für Biophysik, Universität Hannover, Herrenhauser Str. 2, 3000, Hannover 21, Germany

    E. G. Niemann

Authors
  1. Y. Zafar
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  2. K. A. Malik
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  3. E. G. Niemann
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Zafar, Y., Malik, K.A. & Niemann, E.G. Studies on N2-fixing bacteria associated with the salt-tolerant grass,Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth. Mircen Journal 3, 45–55 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01090494

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