Ocorrência, caracterização e identificação de bactérias diazotróficas em simbiose com Mimosa spp. em áreas de solo ultramáfico

Ultramafic soils are characterized by low nutrient availability and high levels of heavy metals, including nickel. Legume plants, such as Mimosa spp., are among plants that occur naturally in areas with this type of soil. To fix nitrogen symbiotically these plants are associated with diazotrophic bacteria, including beta-proteobacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence, characterize and identify bacteria in symbiosis with nodulating nitrogen fixing plants from the genus Mimosa from the ultramafic massif of Barro Alto Goiás. Samples were collected from nodules of Mimosa sommians and Mimosa clausenii from which the isolation of bacteria on YMA medium was made. Seventy-eight isolates were obtained and characterized by means of morphological, molecular and biochemical analyses. The sequencing of the gene 16S rRNA showed that 54 isolates belonged to the genus Burkholderia and six to Pseudomonas. It was not possible to get the complete sequences of the 16S rRNA gene for the 18 remaining isolates. Only nine isolates, including six Pseudomonas, were able to solubilize phosphate in medium containing calcium phosphate. There was no dissolution in medium with aluminum phosphate. The isolates showed no tolerance to Ni. Thirty-eight strains were able to produce siderophores and all produced the phytohormone IAA, ranging from 8.7 to 54.1 μg / mL. Among the evaluated enzymes, all isolates produced cellulases, lipases and pectinases, while none were able to produce urease, lipase and xylanase. Nodulation tests in Jensen medium with M. pudica and potts with substrate (sand and coal) with Phaseolus vulgaris showed nodulation capacity by Burkholderia. But despite the capacity to nodulate common bean they were not efficient to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with the plant. Isolates of Pseudomonas spp. showed no ability for nodule formation in the tested conditions. However, nodC and nifH genes, assessed by PCR, were present in the isolates W14 and W24. These results indicate the presence of beta-proteobacteria of the genus Burkholderia in ultramafic soils associated with Mimosa spp. Although bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas have also been isolated from nodules, further studies of their symbiotic ability remains needed. The isolates showed potential for several traits of agricultural importance and may be prospected to be used in restoration of degraded areas.