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Characterization ofAzospirillum and related diazotrophs associated with roots of plants growing in saline soils

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Abstract

Diazotrophs, especially of genusAzospirillum were readily isolated from roots of many plants using semi-solid nitrogen free malate medium (NFM). These isolates formed fine, white sub-surface pellicle in nitrogen-free malate medium within 24h, which gradually moved to the surface, and exhibited high acetylene reduction rates. Using selected cultural and biochemical tests, most of the isolates were identified asAzospirillum brasilense. Four isolates from Kallar grass root surface and one isolate fromAtriplex root interior formed phenotypically a homogenous group. It shared many characteristics with the species of genusAzospirillum except shape. All the biochemical tests performed, categorized them withA. brasilense. However, the shape and the protein profile on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoretograms suggested that the group of these five isolates is clearly distinct and differs widely from all the type strains, belonging to various genera.

Résumé

It est apparu facile d'isoler des diazotrophes, principalement du genreAzospirllium à partir de racines de nombreuses plantes et utilisant un milieu malate semisolide exempt d'azote (NFM). Ces isolats forment une pellicule fine et blanche sous la surface dans le milieu malate exempt d'azote, endéans les24h. Ces pellicules ae déplacent progressivement vers la surface et exhibent des vitesses élevées de production d'acétylène. L'emploi de tests de culture sélective ou biochimique, a permis d'identifier la plupart des isolats commeAzospirillum brasilense. Quatre isolats à partir de la surface des racines d'herbe Kallar et un isolat à partir de l'intérieur d'une racine d'Atriplex forment an groupe homogène sur le plan phénotypique. Celui-ci partage de nombreuses caractéristiques avec les espèces du genreAzospirillum excepté la forme. Tous les tests biochimiques exécutés les rangent avecA. brasilense. Toutefois, leur forme ainsi que le profil protéique sur un électrophérogramme sur gel de polyacrylamide-SDS suggèrent que le groupe de cinq isolats est nettement distinct et diffère largement de toutes les souches types, appartenant à de nombreux genres.

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Bilal, R., Rasul, G., Qureshi, J.A. et al. Characterization ofAzospirillum and related diazotrophs associated with roots of plants growing in saline soils. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 6, 46–52 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01225354

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