Publication Date
1997
Description
The aim of this study was to identify endophytic bacteria isolated from the nodules of healthy red clover plants (Trifolium pratense L.) and to assess their effects, alone and in combination with Rhizobium, on the growth and development of red clover seedlings. Clover root nodules were host to 12 bacteria species other than rhizobia. In root bacterization experiments, root nodule bacteria often promoted in vitro growth and nodulation of red clover when applied in combination with R. leguminosarum BV trifolii. Instances of growth depression were fewer in mixed than in individual bacterial applications. Single isolate applications of Rhizobium species to roots always led to clover growth depression, but mixtures of R. leguminosarum BV trifolii and R. leguminosarum BV phaseoli resulted in growth promotion. The latter is considered further evidence of a beneficial allelopathic side-effect of strain competition for the same ecological niche.
Citation
Sturz, A V.; Christie, B R.; Matheson, B G.; and Nowak, J, "Responses of Red Clover to Inoculation with Endophytic Bacteria from Root Nodules" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 31.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session10/31
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Responses of Red Clover to Inoculation with Endophytic Bacteria from Root Nodules
The aim of this study was to identify endophytic bacteria isolated from the nodules of healthy red clover plants (Trifolium pratense L.) and to assess their effects, alone and in combination with Rhizobium, on the growth and development of red clover seedlings. Clover root nodules were host to 12 bacteria species other than rhizobia. In root bacterization experiments, root nodule bacteria often promoted in vitro growth and nodulation of red clover when applied in combination with R. leguminosarum BV trifolii. Instances of growth depression were fewer in mixed than in individual bacterial applications. Single isolate applications of Rhizobium species to roots always led to clover growth depression, but mixtures of R. leguminosarum BV trifolii and R. leguminosarum BV phaseoli resulted in growth promotion. The latter is considered further evidence of a beneficial allelopathic side-effect of strain competition for the same ecological niche.
