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Infectivity variation of Discaria trinervis ‐nodulating Frankia in Patagonian soil according to season and storage conditions
Author(s) -
Chaia Eugenia E.,
Solans Mariana,
Vobis Gernot,
Wall Luis G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.00874.x
Subject(s) - frankia , biology , soil water , water content , desiccation , rhizosphere , botany , agronomy , horticulture , symbiosis , bacteria , ecology , root nodule , genetics , geotechnical engineering , engineering
Changes in the infectious capacity of soilborne Frankia from the same site may depend on environmental conditions. To test this, we examined the effect of season of sampling, sample storage protocol and storage time. The nodulation capacity of Frankia from rhizospheric soils of Discaria trinervis (Hook et Arn.) Reiche (Rhamnaceae) growing in northwest Patagonia (Argentina) was measured using the most probable number method. Soil samples were collected seasonally and either stored moist at 4°C or air dried at room temperature for few days. Old (air‐dried) soil samples were also assayed. All soils nodulated D. trinervis seedlings. Nodulation units (NU) ranged from 44 (spring, moist storage) to about 1 ml −1 of soil (summer moist, and summer and autumn, air‐dried storage), with intermediate values in other samples. Soils stored for 12 years, 6 months or 1 week had similar NU. Frankia NU positively correlated with soil water content ( r = 0.6, P < 0.05); therefore, it is likely that soil moisture is a relevant factor regulating soilborne Frankia nodulation ability in Patagonian soils. We suggest that Frankia can remain as spores or grow saprophytically in Patagonian soils.