Open AccessEffect of cadmium, chromium and copper on symbiotic and free‐living Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii
Author(s) -
Casella Sergio,
Frassinetti Stefania,
Lupi Fabrizio,
Squartini Andrea
Publication year - 1988
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.1574-6968.1988.tb02754.x
Subject(s) - rhizobium leguminosarum , rhizobia , biovar , chromium , rhizobiaceae , strain (injury) , nitrogenase , rhizobium , biology , cadmium , symbiosis , botany , nitrogen fixation , bacteria , chemistry , horticulture , inoculation , genetics , organic chemistry , anatomy
Plasmid‐minus derivatives of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii have been isolated. Cured strains lacked symbiotic properties, however they showed increased heavy metal resistance. In the presence of 70 ppm chromium the parent strain, unlike cured derivatives, is unable to grow explanta but can nevertheless nodulate clover. We propose that rhizobia can circumvent exposure to the heavy metal by entering the plant roots. Acetylene reduction tests showed that nodulated plants, grown in the presence of 10 ppm of chromium, had an increased nitrogenase activity compared to the control plants.