Symbiosis between Rhizobium and the non-legume, Polypleurum wallichii

H. Lalruatsanga

Science Vision 14 (3), 143-144 | Published on 30 September 2014 |

Abstract

Polypleurum wallichii is an aquatic plant found in East- Khasi Hill District of Meghalaya, in the Northeast India. The endophyte was successfully cultured using Tryptone-yeast medium. Holdfast as well as thallus showed Gram-negative bacterium resembling the bacterioids of Rhizobium, (designated as Polypleurum type-I) similar to nodules from Glycine max and other tropical legumes. The plant body of Polypleurum has poor vasculature and lack intercellular space, hence, no formation of distinct nodules. The observations indicate that the plant is a nitrogen fixing non-legume, and the endophyte bacterium is member of Rhizobium.

Abstract Full Text Download