Gene transfer in the environment promotes the rapid evolution of a diversity of suboptimal and competitive rhizobia for Biserrula pelecinus L.

Nandasena, K.G., O'Hara, G.W., Tiwari, R.P. and Howieson, J.G. (2008) Gene transfer in the environment promotes the rapid evolution of a diversity of suboptimal and competitive rhizobia for Biserrula pelecinus L. In: Dakora, F.D., Chimphango, S.B. M., Valentine, A.J., Elmerich, C. and Newton, W.E., (eds.) Biological nitrogen fixation: towards poverty alleviation through sustainable agriculture. Springer, New York, pp. 63-64.

Abstract

The emergence of biodiversity in rhizobia after the introduction of exotic legumes and their respective rhizobia to new is a challenge for contemporary rhizobiology. Biserrula pelecinus L. is a pasture legume species that was introduced to Australia from the Mediterranean basm and which is having a substantial impact on agricultural productivity on acidic and sandy soils of Western Australia and New South Wales (Howieson et al., 2000). This deep-rooted plant is also valuable in reducing the development of dryland salinity This legume is nodulated by a specific group of root-nodule bacteria that belongs to Mesorhizobium (Nandasena et at , 2001, 2007).