Taxonomy of the rhizobia

Abstract

Extensive cross testing on a relatively few legume hosts led initially to a taxonomic characterization of rhizobia based on bacteria–plant cross–inoculation groups. This has gradually become less acceptable, and has been replaced by taxonomic groupings derived from numerical taxonomy, carbohydrate metabolism, antibiotic susceptiblities, serology, and various molecular techniques. It has long been recognized that there are two distinct groups of rhizobia based on growth rate. The fast-growing genus Rhizobium includes R. leguminosarum, R. meliloti, R. loti, R. galegae, R. tropici, and R. huakuii. The slow-growing genus Bradyrhizobium contains only one recognized species, B. japonicum. Two new genera have been recognized: Azorhizobium, with one recognized species (A. caulinadans), and Sinorhizobium, with two species (S. fredii and S. xinjiangensis). Genetic studies of both the fast- and slow-growing groups show unacceptably wide intrageneric and intergeneric diversity. Although there have been some elegant studies of some of the genetic relationships among rhizobia, overall there has (have) not been the comprehensive study(ies) needed to allow a conclusive taxonomic scheme. Because proposals for revision are accelerating, minimum standards have been proposed by the International Subcommittee for the Taxonomy of Rhizobium and Agrobacterium. Key words: Rhizobium taxonomy, classification of rhizobia, interrelationships of rhizobia.