Open AccessExtranodular growth of Frankia on Casuarina equisetifolia
Author(s) -
Diem H.G.,
Gauthier D.,
Dommergues Y.R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1982.tb00063.x
Subject(s) - frankia , casuarina equisetifolia , actinorhizal plant , casuarina , biology , root nodule , nitrogen fixation , symbiosis , botany , nodule (geology) , bacteria , paleontology
17 genera of non-leguminous angiosperms bear NI-fixing root nodules initiated by an actinomycete known as Frankia [1,11]. The expanding volume of current literature attests to the significance vested in this symbiosis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no publications up to this point have dealt with the occurrence and behaviour of Frankia outside its specific niche, the nodule. Reported here are observations indicating that Frankia is able to grow outside the nodule of Casuarina equisetifolia and to proliferate in its vicinity. Our study is focused on Casuarina because these tropical and subtropical non-legumes play a major role by virtue of their ability to thrive on nitrogen-deficient soils.