Molecular and phenotypic characterization of endophytic bacteria isolated from sulla nodules

- Molecular and phenotypic characterization of endophytic bacteria isolated from Sulla pallida and Sulla capitata nodules.
- Phenotypic characterization of the isolated bacteria.
- Bacterial diversity was investigated by using PCR-RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA gene.
- Sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes (recA and atpD).

In the current study, bacterial diversity was investigated in root nodules of Sulla pallida and Sulla capitata. The isolates were analyzed on the basis of their phenotypic and molecular characteristics. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes (recA and atpD) showed that the isolated bacteria related to Sinorhizobium, Neorhizobium, Phyllobacterium, Arthrobacter, Variovorax and Pseudomonas genera. This is the first report of Neorhizobium genus associated with Hedysarum genus. Phenotypically, all strains tolerate the elevated temperature of 40 °C, and salt stress at a concentration of 2%. In addition, the isolates failed to induce nodulation on their original host; and the symbiotic genes could not be amplified, suggesting that these strains are endophytic bacteria.