Monika Marek-Kozaczuk

Response to flavonoids as a factor influencing competitiveness and symbiotic activity of Rhizobium leguminosarum

Flavonoids play a crucial role as signal molecules in promoting the formation of nodules by symbiotic bacteria commonly known as rhizobia. The early interaction between flavonoids and NodD regulatory protein activates nod gene transcription and the synthesis of Nod factor that initiates nodule primordium. In this study, we assessed response to flavonoids as factors influencing competitiveness of rhizobia and their symbiotic activity. Rhizobium leguminosarum nodule isolates belonging to three biovars, trifolii, viciae and phaseoli characterized earlier as competitive or uncompetitive relative to native rhizobia, were used. Investigating nodA promoter induction using plasmid lacZ fusion, we found that competitive strains more readily responded to a wide range of synthetic flavonoids and seed exudates in comparison to uncompetitive strains, albeit some exceptions were noticed. Of all the synthetic flavonoids and seed exudates studied, naringenin, hespertin and clover and vetch exudates were the most effective inducers of nodA promoter in competitive strains. Only one of the nine examined uncompetitive strains was highly induced by clover seed exudate. Subsequently, the effect of preinduction of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii with clover exudate was assessed. Out of 18 pre-activated strains, nine strains (including competitive ones) increased clover wet mass of shoots and nodule number when used as inoculants. Our results demonstrate a plausible approach of isolating and characterizing flavonoid-responsive field isolates that could be further developed into relevant legume inoculants.

Increased metabolic potential of Rhizobium spp. is associated with bacterial competitiveness

Of 105 rhizobial isolates obtained from nodules of commonly cultivated legumes, we selected 19 strains on the basis of a high rate of symbiotic plant growth promotion. Individual strains within the species Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, R. leguminosarum bv. viciae, and Rhizobium etli displayed variation not only in plasmid sizes and numbers but also in the chromosomal 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer. The strains were tagged with gusA gene and their competitiveness was examined in relation to an indigenous population of rhizobia under greenhouse conditions. A group of 9 strains was thus isolated that were competitive in relation to native rhizobia in pot experiments. Nineteen selected competitive and uncompetitive strains were examined with respect to their ability to utilize various carbon and energy sources by means of commercial Biolog GN2 microplate test. The ability of the selected strains to metabolize a wide range of nutrients differed markedly and the competitive strains were able to utilize more carbon and energy sources than uncompetitive ones. A major difference concerned the utilization of amino and organic acids, which were metabolized by most of the competitive and only a few uncompetitive strains, whereas sugars and their derivatives were commonly utilized by both groups of strains. A statistically significant correlation between the ability to metabolize a broad range of substrates and nodulation competitiveness was found, indicating that metabolic properties may be an essential trait in determining the competitiveness of rhizobia.

Production of B-group vitamins by plant growth-promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267 and the importance of vitamins in the colonization and nodulation of red clover

Abstract We have estimated the production of water-soluble B vitamins by plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267 in a minimal medium with different C sources and at different pH values. In the minimal medium, strain 267 produced large amounts of niacin (0.92 μg ml–1) and pantothenic acid (0.75 μg ml–1), but also other vitamins such as biotin, thiamine, cobalamine and pyridoxine. The production of B vitamins was dependent on the C source and pH of the growth medium. By random Tn5 mutagenesis, thiamine and niacin auxotrophs were isolated from P. fluorescens strain 267 and mutants were used to evaluate the vitamin production on colonization of clover roots under controlled conditions. Red clover root colonization decreased by about 1 order of magnitude in the case of the niacin auxotroph. The vitamin auxotrophs of P. fluorescens in a mixed inoculation of clover with R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain 24.1 showed no plant growth-promotion activity.

Genetic and Metabolic Divergence within a Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii Population Recovered from Clover Nodules

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 others 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.

Rhizobium pisi sv. trifolii K3.22 harboring nod genes of the Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii cluster.

The taxonomic status of the Rhizobium sp. K3.22 clover nodule isolate was studied by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of 16S rRNA and six housekeeping chromosomal genes, as well as by a subsequent phylogenic analysis. The results revealed full congruence with the Rhizobium pisi DSM 30132(T) core genes, thus supporting the same taxonomic position for both strains. However, the K3.22 plasmid symbiosis nod genes demonstrated high sequence similarity to Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii, whereas the R. pisi DSM 30132(T)nod genes were most similar to R. leguminosarum sv. viciae. The strains differed in the host range nodulation specificity, since strain K3.22 effectively nodulated red and white clover but not vetch, in contrast to R. pisi DSM 30132(T), which effectively nodulated vetch but was not able to nodulate clover. Both strains had the ability to form nodules on pea and bean but they differed in bean cultivar specificity. The R. pisi K3.22 and DSM 30132(T) strains might provide evidence for the transfer of R. leguminosarum sv. trifolii and sv. viciae symbiotic plasmids occurring in natural soil populations.

Pretreatment of Clover Seeds with Nod Factors Improves Growth and Nodulation of Trifolium pratense

The increase in legume production in sustainable agriculture depends not only on the effectiveness of the selected nitrogen-fixing inoculants but also on their competitiveness in a soil environment containing an indigenous rhizobial population. In this study, we investigated the effect of pretreatment of red clover seeds with specific Nod factor (LCOs) on germination, growth, and nodulation of clover growing under sterile conditions and in the soil. We demonstrated that, although the symbiotic ability and competitiveness of the inoculant strain RtKO17 was not improved under competitive soil conditions, LCOs treatment of clover seeds significantly enhanced clover nodulation and growth of plants.

Tn5 insertion mutants of Pseudomonas sp. 267 defective in siderophore production and their effect on clover (Trifolium pratense) nodulated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv.trifolii

Pseudomonas sp. strain 267 isolated from soil promoted growth of different plants under field conditions and enhanced symbiotic nitrogen fixation in clover under gnotobiotic conditions. This strain produced pyoverdine-like compound under low-iron conditions and secreted vitamins of the B group. The role of fluorescent siderophore production in the beneficial effect of strain 267 on nodulated clover plants was investigated. Several non-fluorescent (Pvd-) Tn5 insertion mutants of Pseudomonas sp. strain 267 were isolated and characterized. The presence of Tn5 insertions was confirmed by Southern analysis of EcoRI digested genomic DNA of each derivative strain. The siderophore-negative mutants were compared to the parental strain with respect to their growth promotion of nodulated clover infected with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii 24.1. We found that all isolated Pvd- mutants stimulated growth of nodulated clover plants in a similar manner to the parental strain. No consistent differences were observed between strain 267 and Pvd- derivatives strains with respect to their plant growth promotion activity under gnotobiotic conditions.

The competition between Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strains progresses until late stages of symbiosis

The competition potential of 14 Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae isolates originating from nodules of Pisum sativum was estimated. Genotypic analyses of the isolates revealed a high level of chromosomal and plasmid content diversity. The isolates tagged with a plasmid-bearing constitutively expressed gusA gene were used to inoculate vetch (Vicia villosa) in competition experiments carried out under laboratory conditions. Soil extract containing autochthonous rhizobial population was used as competitor for gus-tagged strains, and the competition was studied by: (i) estimation of Gus+ root nodules on whole root systems, (ii) the pattern of individual nodule colonization by Gus+/Gus− rhizobia, and (iii) the number of Gus+/Gus− bacteria recovered from individual nodules. Several patterns of nodule colonization by Gus+/Gus− bacteria were found. Some nodules identified as Gus+ contained gus-tagged bacteria only in the young and saprophytic zones, while the symbiotic zone was occupied by unmarked soil rhizobia. In other Gus+ nodules, despite the visible colonization of the entire nodule by gus-marked bacteria, a high number of Gus− soil-derived rhizobia were recovered. The results suggest that rhizobial strains compete with each other also in the late stage of nodule development. Therefore, they may use different strategies to reach the late saprophytic zone of the nodule, which serves as an optimal environment for massive proliferation.

Enhancing Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis Using Signaling Factors

Rhizobial symbiosis with leguminous plants affects the supply of organic nitrogen. Soil bacteria comprising members of the genera Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Sinorhizobium, and Azorhizobium, commonly referred to as rhizobia, are taxonomically diverse members of the α and β subclasses of the Proteobacteria. They possess the ability to induce root nodules on legume plants and provide these plants with fixed nitrogen, enabling them to grow in nitrogen-limited soils. Rhizobia colonize root nodules, fix nitrogen inside, transport usable form of N to plants, and concurrently facilitate the growth and grain yields of legumes. Rhizobium–legume symbiosis is a multi-step process requiring the exchange of numerous molecular signals between bacteria and the plant host. Precise fulfilling of all stages of this molecular dialogue is prerequisite to the effective symbiosis, allowing bacteria to invade the host and, conversely, enabling the host to derive benefits from the presence of bacteria. Individual legumes are often nodulated by multiple bacterial strains with varying symbiosis-establishing capabilities. Thus, selection of highly effective strains that successfully compete with less effective ones is required when developing legume inoculants. Various factors that influence symbiotic rhizobial interactions under competitive soil environment, including the exchange of plant and bacterial signaling molecules, such as flavonoids and nodulation factor (Nod factor), in the early stages of symbiosis is highlighted. Beneficial responses of rhizobial inoculants on to legumes, as well as manipulations of symbiotic signaling factors, is likely to increase their potential as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture to promote growth and nodulation of legume plants.

Infection of clover by plant growth promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267 and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii studied by mTn5-gusA.

Plant growth promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267, isolated from soil, produced pseudobactin A, 7-sulfonic acid derivatives of pseudobactin A and several B group vitamins. In coinoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain 24.1, strain 267 promoted clover growth and enhanced symbiotic nitrogen fixation under controlled conditions. To better understand the beneficial effect of P. fluorescens 267 on clover inoculated with rhizobia, the colonization of clover roots by mTn5-gusA marked bacteria was studied in single and mixed infections under controlled conditions. Histochemical assays combined with light and electron microscopy showed that P. fluorescens 267.4 (i) efficiently colonized clover root surface; (ii) was heterogeneously distributed along the roots without the preference to defined root zone; (iii) formed microcolonies on the surface of clover root epidermis; (iv) penetrated the first layer of the primary root cortex parenchyma and (v) colonized endophytically the inner root tissues of clover.