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Characterization of root-nodule bacteria isolated from the medicinal legume Indigofera tinctoria

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Abstract

Fourteen root-nodule bacteria isolated from the medicinal legume Indigofera tinctoria were characterized for their phenotypic features including growth curves, utilization of carbon and nitrogen sources, antibiotic resistance, vitamin requirement and growth under different conditions. The partial sequences of the 16S rDNA of these strains were obtained and BLASTN analysis revealed that the microsymbionts of I. tinctoria were related to members of five distinct genera: Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Cupriavidus and Pseudoalteromonas. The partial nifH gene of Pseudoalteromonas-like strain DASA 57075 had 96% similarity with nifH genes of members of Bradyrhizobium. The partial nodC gene of Pseudoalteromonas-like strain DASA 57075 showed 88% similarity with the nodC gene of several rhizobia including Sinorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium. We propose a bacterium that is related to Pseudoalteromonas from the gamma-class of Proteobacteria as a new legume symbiont. This is also the first report that the same species of legume can be nodulated by bacteria from up to five different genera in three distinct classes.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the TRF/BIOTEC Special Program for Biodiversity Research and Training grant BRT R_151007. We thank Pongrawee Nimnoi for constructing the phylogenetic tree.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University-Sanam, Chandra Palace Campus, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand

    Chonchanok Leelahawonge & Neelawan Pongsilp

  2. Soil Microbiology Research Group, Division of Soil Science, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Achara Nuntagij

  3. School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Neung Teaumroong & Nantakorn Boonkerd

Authors
  1. Chonchanok Leelahawonge
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  2. Achara Nuntagij
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  3. Neung Teaumroong
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  4. Nantakorn Boonkerd
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  5. Neelawan Pongsilp
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Correspondence to Neelawan Pongsilp.

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Leelahawonge, C., Nuntagij, A., Teaumroong, N. et al. Characterization of root-nodule bacteria isolated from the medicinal legume Indigofera tinctoria . Ann Microbiol 60, 65–74 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-009-0005-8

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