Abstract
An examination of 85 strains of bacteria from five species of rhizobia ( Rhizobium sp., R. japonicum, R. lupini, R. meliloti and R. trifolii), using a new semi-quantitative assay procedure, disclosed wide diversity among the strains in their requirement for, and response to, vitamins, carbon sources, and nitrogen sources. Approximately half of the strains in the first four species grew as well without vitamins as they did when supplied with a vitamin mixture or with yeast extract, but the other strains showed considerable variation in their requirements. Some strains were inhibited by yeast extract, or showed best growth in basic media supplemented with only one vitamin. The strains within the species differed widely in their utilization of gluconate, mannitol and arabinose as C-sources; there was less diversity in their use of glutamine, histidine, NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N as N-sources. The significance of these observations in the culture of rhizobia in the laboratory, in their ecological adaptation to particular environments, and in their ability to form an effective symbiosis with particular host legumes, is discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
