scholarly journals FrankiaDiversity in Host Plant Root Nodules Is Independent of Abundance or Relative Diversity ofFrankiaPopulations in Corresponding Rhizosphere Soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seifeddine Ben Tekaya ◽  
Trina Guerra ◽  
David Rodriguez ◽  
Jeffrey O. Dawson ◽  
Dittmar Hahn

ABSTRACTActinorhizal plants form nitrogen-fixing root nodules in symbiosis with soil-dwelling actinobacteria within the genusFrankia, and specificFrankiataxonomic clusters nodulate plants in corresponding host infection groups. In same-soil microcosms, we observed that some host species were nodulated (Alnus glutinosa,Alnus cordata,Shepherdia argentea,Casuarina equisetifolia) while others were not (Alnus viridis,Hippophaë rhamnoides). Nodule populations were represented by eight different sequences ofnifHgene fragments. Two of these sequences characterized frankiae inS. argenteanodules, and three others characterized frankiae inA. glutinosanodules. Frankiae inA. cordatanodules were represented by five sequences, one of which was also found in nodules fromA. glutinosaandC. equisetifolia, while another was detected in nodules fromA. glutinosa. Quantitative PCR assays showed that vegetation generally increased the abundance of frankiae in soil, independently of the target gene (i.e.,nifHor the 23S rRNA gene). Targeted Illumina sequencing ofFrankia-specificnifHgene fragments detected 24 unique sequences from rhizosphere soils, 4 of which were also found in nodules, while the remaining 4 sequences in nodules were not found in soils. Seven of the 24 sequences from soils represented >90% of the reads obtained in most samples; the 2 most abundant sequences from soils were not found in root nodules, and only 2 of the sequences from soils were detected in nodules. These results demonstrate large differences between detectableFrankiapopulations in soil and those in root nodules, suggesting that root nodule formation is not a function of the abundance or relative diversity of specificFrankiapopulations in soils.IMPORTANCEThe nitrogen-fixing actinobacteriumFrankiaforms root nodules on actinorhizal plants, with members of specificFrankiataxonomic clusters nodulating plants in corresponding host infection groups. We assessedFrankiadiversity in root nodules of different host plant species, and we related specific populations to the abundance and relative distribution of indigenous frankiae in rhizosphere soils. Large differences were observed between detectableFrankiapopulations in soil and those in root nodules, suggesting that root nodule formation is not a function of the abundance or relative diversity of specificFrankiapopulations in soils but rather results from plants potentially selecting frankiae from the soil for root nodule formation. These data also highlight the necessity of using a combination of different assessment tools so as to adequately address methodological constraints that could produce contradictory data sets.

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Battenberg ◽  
Jannah A. Wren ◽  
Janell Hillman ◽  
Joseph Edwards ◽  
Liujing Huang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The actinobacterial genus Frankia establishes nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbioses with specific hosts within the nitrogen-fixing plant clade. Of four genetically distinct subgroups of Frankia, cluster I, II, and III strains are capable of forming effective nitrogen-fixing symbiotic associations, while cluster IV strains generally do not. Cluster II Frankia strains have rarely been detected in soil devoid of host plants, unlike cluster I or III strains, suggesting a stronger association with their host. To investigate the degree of host influence, we characterized the cluster II Frankia strain distribution in rhizosphere soil in three locations in northern California. The presence/absence of cluster II Frankia strains at a given site correlated significantly with the presence/absence of host plants on the site, as determined by glutamine synthetase (glnA) gene sequence analysis, and by microbiome analysis (16S rRNA gene) of a subset of host/nonhost rhizosphere soils. However, the distribution of cluster II Frankia strains was not significantly affected by other potential determinants such as host-plant species, geographical location, climate, soil pH, or soil type. Rhizosphere soil microbiome analysis showed that cluster II Frankia strains occupied only a minute fraction of the microbiome even in the host-plant-present site and further revealed no statistically significant difference in the α-diversity or in the microbiome composition between the host-plant-present or -absent sites. Taken together, these data suggest that host plants provide a factor that is specific for cluster II Frankia strains, not a general growth-promoting factor. Further, the factor accumulates or is transported at the site level, i.e., beyond the host rhizosphere. IMPORTANCE Biological nitrogen fixation is a bacterial process that accounts for a major fraction of net new nitrogen input in terrestrial ecosystems. Transfer of fixed nitrogen to plant biomass is especially efficient via root nodule symbioses, which represent evolutionarily and ecologically specialized mutualistic associations. Frankia spp. (Actinobacteria), especially cluster II Frankia spp., have an extremely broad host range, yet comparatively little is known about the soil ecology of these organisms in relation to the host plants and their rhizosphere microbiomes. This study reveals a strong influence of the host plant on soil distribution of cluster II Frankia spp.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton A. N. van Brussel ◽  
Teun Tak ◽  
Kees J. M. Boot ◽  
Jan W. Kijne

Inhibition of root nodule formation on leguminous plants by already induced or existing root nodules is called autoregulation of root nodule formation (AUT). Optimal conditions for AUT were determined using a split-root technique newly developed for Vicia sativa subsp. nigra. Infection of a root A with nodulating Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae bacteria systemically inhibited nodulation of a spatially separated root B inoculated 2 days later with the same bacteria. This treatment gives complete AUT (total absence of nodules on root B). Only partial AUT of root B was obtained by incubation of root A with mitogenic nodulation (Nod) factors or with a noninfective strain producing normal mitogenic Nod factors. Nonmitogenic Nod factors did not evoke AUT. We identified two systemic plant signals induced by Rhizobium bacteria. Signal 1 (at weak buffering) was correlated with sink formation in root A and induced acidification of B-root medium. This signal is induced by treatment of root A with (i) nodulating rhizobia, (ii) mitogenic Nod factors, (iii) nonmitogenic Nod factors, or (iv) the cytokinin zeatin. Signal 2 (at strong buffering) could only be evoked by treatment with nodulating rhizobia or with mitogenic Nod factors. Most probably, this signal represents the specific AUT signal. Induction of complete AUT appears to require actively dividing nodule cells in nodule primordia, nodule meristems, or both of root A.


2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 544-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Hayashi ◽  
Yuichi Saeki ◽  
Michiyo Haga ◽  
Kyuya Harada ◽  
Hiroshi Kouchi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parris Mayhood ◽  
Babur S. Mirza

ABSTRACT Soybean root nodules are known to contain a high diversity of both rhizobial endophytes and nonrhizobial endophytes (NREs). Nevertheless, the variation of these bacteria among different root nodules within single plants has not been reported. So far, it is unclear whether the selection of NREs among different root nodules within single plants is a random process or is strictly controlled by the host plant to favor a few specific NREs based on their beneficial influence on plant growth. As well, it is also unknown if the relative frequency of NREs within different root nodules is consistent or if it varies based on the location or size of a root nodule. We assessed the microbiomes of 193 individual soybean root nodules from nine plants using high-throughput DNA sequencing. Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains occurred in high abundance in all root nodules despite the presence of other soybean-compatible rhizobia, such as Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, and other species of Bradyrhizobium in soil. Nitrobacter and Tardiphaga were the two nonrhizobial genera that were uniformly detected within almost all root nodules, though they were in low abundance. DNA sequences related to other NREs that have frequently been reported, such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, and Variovorax species, were detected in a few nodules. Unlike for Bradyrhizobium, the low abundance and inconsistent occurrence of previously reported NREs among different root nodules within single plants suggest that these microbes are not preferentially selected as endophytes by host plants and most likely play a limited part in plant growth as endophytes. IMPORTANCE Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a valuable food crop that also contributes significantly to soil nitrogen by developing a symbiotic association with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Bacterial endophytes (both rhizobial and nonrhizobial) are considered critical for the growth and resilience of the legume host. In the past, several studies have suggested that the selection of bacterial endophytes within root nodules can be influenced by factors such as soil pH, nutrient availability, host plant genotype, and bacterial diversity in soil. However, the influence of size or location of root nodules on the selection of bacterial endophytes within soybean roots is unknown. It is also unclear whether the selection of nonrhizobial endophytes within different root nodules of a single plant is a random process or is strictly regulated by the host. This information can be useful in identifying potential bacterial species for developing bioinoculants that can enhance plant growth and soil nitrogen.


1957 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Robinson ◽  
K. E. LeLacheur ◽  
G. A. Brossard

Seed treatments of molybdenum were found to increase yields of early red clover on three soil types in Prince Edward Island. Plots receiving 8 or more ounces of molybdenum per acre were significantly better than the control plots. Applications of 1000 lb. and 2000 lb. of ground limestone per acre had no effect on the yields of molybdenum-treated clover but the uptake of molybdenum by plants was highest where the 2000 lb.-per-acre rate was applied. The influence of added molybdenum on clover root nodule formation was determined on one soil type. Eight ounces of molybdenum per acre gave a significant increase in the weight of root nodules on the treated plants.


Root Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
YOKO AKASAKA

2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 5217-5222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Rivas ◽  
Encarna Velázquez ◽  
Anne Willems ◽  
Nieves Vizcaíno ◽  
Nanjappa S. Subba-Rao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Rhizobia are the common bacterial symbionts that form nitrogen-fixing root nodules in legumes. However, recently other bacteria have been shown to nodulate and fix nitrogen symbiotically with these plants. Neptunia natans is an aquatic legume indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions and in African soils is nodulated by Allorhizobium undicola. This legume develops an unusual root-nodule symbiosis on floating stems in aquatic environments through a unique infection process. Here, we analyzed the low-molecular-weight RNA and 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence of the same fast-growing isolates from India that were previously used to define the developmental morphology of the unique infection process in this symbiosis with N. natans and found that they are phylogenetically located in the genus Devosia, not Allorhizobium or Rhizobium. The 16S rDNA sequences of these two Neptunia-nodulating Devosia strains differ from the only species currently described in that genus, Devosia riboflavina. From the same isolated colonies, we also located their nodD and nifH genes involved in nodulation and nitrogen fixation on a plasmid of approximately 170 kb. Sequence analysis showed that their nodD and nifH genes are most closely related to nodD and nifH of Rhizobium tropici, suggesting that this newly described Neptunia-nodulating Devosia species may have acquired these symbiotic genes by horizontal transfer.


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