Affiliation:
1. Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
2. Lublin University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Rhizobia are able to establish symbiosis with leguminous plants and usually occupy highly complex soil habitats. The large size and complexity of their genomes are considered advantageous, possibly enhancing their metabolic and adaptive potential and, in consequence, their competitiveness. A population of
Rhizobium leguminosarum
bv.
trifolii
organisms recovered from nodules of several clover plants growing in each other's vicinity in the soil was examined regarding possible relationships between their metabolic-physiological properties and their prevalence in such a local population. Genetic and metabolic variability within the
R. leguminosarum
bv.
trifolii
strains occupying nodules of several plants was of special interest, and both types were found to be considerable. Moreover, a prevalence of metabolically versatile strains, i.e., those not specializing in utilization of any group of substrates, was observed by combining statistical analyses of Biolog test results with the frequency of occurrence of genetically distinct strains. Metabolic versatility with regard to nutritional requirements was not directly advantageous for effectiveness in the symbiotic interaction with clover: rhizobia with specialized metabolism were more effective in symbiosis but rarely occurred in the population. The significance of genetic and, especially, metabolic complexity of bacteria constituting a nodule population is discussed in the context of strategies employed by bacteria in competition.
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Subject
Ecology,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,Food Science,Biotechnology
Cited by
31 articles.
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