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Direct monitoring of Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) in nodules and soil using lac Z fusions

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Abstract

We constructed lacZ fusions in Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) by random Tn5-lacZ mutagenesis. The lacZ+ fusants formed blue colonies on a Rhizobial minimal medium containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal). Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) fusant HSL-2 was identified in nodules and soil in a mixed population on the basis of the lacZ+ phenotype. Nodule occupancy of inoculated Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) HSL-2 (lacZ+) was assessed by directly streaking the nodule sap on X-gal plates. This method revealed differences between rhizobia carrying identical antibiotic markers. The rhizobial population in soil was estimated by direct plate counts using a medium containing X-gal. Introduction of lacZ into the Rhizobium sp. thus provided a simple and direct method for identifying strains from nodules and soil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, 125004, HISAR, India

    D. V. Kamboj, P. K. Sharma & B. S. Kundu

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  1. D. V. Kamboj
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  2. P. K. Sharma
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  3. B. S. Kundu
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Kamboj, D.V., Sharma, P.K. & Kundu, B.S. Direct monitoring of Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) in nodules and soil using lac Z fusions. Biol Fert Soils 21, 309–313 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334908

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334908

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