Possible mode of action of Azospirillum brasilense strain Cd on the root morphology and nodule formation in burr medic (Medicago polymorpha)

E. Yahalom, Y. Okon*, A. Dovrat

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanism(s) involved in the effect of Azospirillum brasilense strain Cd on root susceptibility to nodulation was studied in medic seedlings grown in pouches. The number of nodules above the position of the root-tip mark at the time of inoculation and the position of the uppermost nodule were used as parameters for determining the rate of nodule initiation. Cell-free extracts and culture supernatants prepared from Azospirillum and the cytokinin benzyladenine (10-9 M) significantly increased the number of nodules formed above the root-tip mark when applied together with Rhizobium compared with those formed with Rhizobium alone. The application of indoleacetic acid did not cause an increase in the number of nodules. In the absence of Rhizobium, exposure to Azospirillum at a concentration of 109 cfu/mL or to compounds excreted by the bacteria into the growth medium caused a 40% increase in endogenous ethylene production by the roots. A less concentrated inoculum did not increase ethylene production. Inoculation with Azospirillum significantly increased the specific activity of the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and shikimate dehydrogenase compared with roots inoculated with Rhizobium alone.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10-14
Number of pages5
JournalCanadian Journal of Microbiology
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

Keywords

  • Azospirillum
  • Medicago polymorpha
  • Nodule initiation
  • Rhizobium
  • Root morphology

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