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Characterization of root-nodulating bacteria associated to Prosopis farcta growing in the arid regions of Tunisia

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Abstract

Diversity of 50 bacterial isolates recovered from root nodules of Prosopis farcta grown in different arid soils in Tunisia, was investigated. Characterization of isolates was assessed using a polyphasic approach including phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene PCR–RFLP and sequencing, nodA gene sequencing and MLSA. It was found that most of isolates are tolerant to high temperature (40°C) and salinity (3%). Genetic characterization emphasizes that isolates were assigned to the genus Ensifer (80%), Mesorhizobium (4%) and non-nodulating endophytic bacteria (16%). Forty isolates belonging to the genus Ensifer were affiliated to Ensifer meliloti, Ensifer xinjiangense/Ensifer fredii and Ensifer numidicus species. Two isolates belonged to the genus Mesorhizobium. Eight isolates failing to renodulate their host plant were endophytic bacteria and belonged to Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Acinetobacter genera. Symbiotic properties of nodulating isolates showed a diversity in their capacity to infect their host plant and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Isolate PG29 identified as Ensifer meliloti was the most effective one. Ability of Prosopis farcta to establish symbiosis with rhizobial species confers an important advantage for this species to be used in reforestation programs. This study offered the first systematic information about the diversity of microsymbionts nodulating Prosopis farcta in the arid regions of Tunisia.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was kindly supported by grants from Ministry for the Higher education and Scientific Research and within the Tuniso-Spanish co-operation (AECID grant A/018017/08 and A/023763/09) and the University of Gabès, Tunisia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétales Appliquées à l’Amélioration des Cultures, Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, Université de Gabes, Cité Erriadh Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia

    A. Fterich, M. Mahdhi & M. Mars

  2. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Sevilla, Spain

    M. A. Caviedes, E. Pajuelo & I. D. Rodriguez-Llorente

  3. Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain

    R. Rivas

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  1. A. Fterich
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  2. M. Mahdhi
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  4. E. Pajuelo
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  6. I. D. Rodriguez-Llorente
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Correspondence to M. Mars.

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Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.

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Fterich, A., Mahdhi, M., Caviedes, M.A. et al. Characterization of root-nodulating bacteria associated to Prosopis farcta growing in the arid regions of Tunisia. Arch Microbiol 193, 385–397 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-011-0683-z

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