Symbiotic properties of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) assayed on serradella plants
Physiological and symbiotic properties of <i>Bradyrhizobium</i> sp. (<i>Lupinus</i>) nodule isolates were compared to the standard slow-growing <i>Bradyrhizobium</i> sp. (<i>Lupinus</i>) strain USDA 3045. Lupine nodules isolates showed typical characteristics for bradyrhizobial strains and nodulated small seed legume, serradella (<i>Ornithopus sativus</i>), in tube test. We observed a permanent physiological segregation of the effective (Fix') and ineffective (Fix-) symbiotic phenotype for all tested bradyrhizobial strains during the growth of serradella in plant tube test. The ultrastructural differences between Fix* and Fix serradella nodules were observed. Rapid and visible nodulation as well as easy assay of the reduction of acetylene make serradella a convenient system for studies of <i>Bradyrhizobium</i> sp. (<i>Lupinus</i>) strains in laboratory conditions.