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Effect of N and P nutrition on extracellular secretion of lumichrome, riboflavin and indole acetic acid by N2-fixing bacteria and endophytes isolated from Psoralea nodules

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Abstract

Soils of the Cape Fynbos in South Africa are very low in nutrients, especially N and P, which affect bacterial growth and metabolism. In this study, the effect of supplying nitrate (14.8 and 59.3 mM NO −3 ), ammonium (28.1 and 112.0 mM NH +4 ) and phosphorus (1.4 and 5.7 mM P) to five N2-fixing and 11 non-nodulating bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of Psoralea species in the Cape Fynbos was assessed. The data revealed marked variation in the secretion of lumichrome, riboflavin and IAA into culture filtrate. There was generally greater production of lumichrome, riboflavin and IAA by the N2-fixing bacteria than those unable to nodulate P. pinnata and siratro, with much greater concentrations of lumichrome and riboflavin in culture filtrate at high P than low P. At low and high P, symbiotic strain TUT57pp produced 2.2-fold and 3.2-fold more IAA than TUT65prp and TUT33pap respectively, (two non-nodulating strains also with greater IAA production). Although ammonium nutrition has no effect on riboflavin production, it altered lumichrome concentrations in culture filtrate. While ammonium application had no effect, supplying bacterial cells with high nitrate concentration significantly decreased cellular production of lumichrome and riboflavin, two important symbiotic signal molecules. The observed nitrate inhibition of lumichrome and riboflavin biosynthesis and release is in addition to its depressive effect on nodulation and N2 fixation in symbiotic legumes.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported with grants from the South African Research Chair in Agrochemurgy and Plant Symbioses, the National Research Foundation, and Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria.

Authors’ contributions

SAK conducted the experiments, analyzed and interpreted data, and wrote part of the manuscript. FDD conceived and designed the study, interpreted the analyzed data, and critically revised the manuscript for scientific content. Both authors agreed and approved the final version for submission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Sheku A. Kanu

  2. Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Felix D. Dakora

  3. Chemistry Department, Arcadia Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Felix D. Dakora

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  1. Sheku A. Kanu
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  2. Felix D. Dakora
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Correspondence to Felix D. Dakora.

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Kanu, S.A., Dakora, F.D. Effect of N and P nutrition on extracellular secretion of lumichrome, riboflavin and indole acetic acid by N2-fixing bacteria and endophytes isolated from Psoralea nodules. Symbiosis 57, 15–22 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-012-0171-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-012-0171-5

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