Isolation, culture, and behavior of Frankia strain HFPCgI4 from root nodules of Casuarina glauca

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Botanical Gazette (Chicago); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/337848· OSTI ID:5535441

Mansour, S R; Dewedar, A; Torrey, J G ^[1]

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1. Harvard Univ., Petersham, MA (United States)

Casuarina glauca (Casuarinaceae) is an important introduced tree species in Egypt, valued for windbreaks, land stabilization, and soil improvement associated with actinomycete-induced root nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen. A strain of Frankia designated HFPCgI4 was isolated from root nodules collected in Egypt and its characteristics assessed both in pure culture and in symbiosis. Strain CgI4 grows well in synthetic nutrient medium with added NH{sub 4}{sup +} or, in the absence of combined N in the medium, forms vesicles and fixes dinitrogen adequate for growth. Hyphae, vesicles, sporangia, and spores characteristic of the genus Frankia were observed. This strain shows spontaneous spore release when grown in media lacking N. When tested for infectivity on actinorhizal host plants grown in unaerated water culture, CgI4 nodulates several species of Casuarina that fix atmospheric dinitrogen. Other genera in the Casuarinaceae, namely, Allocasuarina and Gymnostoma, were not nodulated under these conditions. Species of the genus Myrica and Comptonia peregrina (Myricaceae) were effectively nodulated by CgI4. The isolate may have use as an inoculant for forest plantations using species of Casuarina sensu stricta.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-84ER13198
• OSTI ID: 5535441
• Journal Information: Botanical Gazette (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Botanical Gazette (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 151:4; ISSN 0006-8071; ISSN BOGAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
ACTINOMYCES
BACTERIA
ECOLOGY
FRANKIA
INFECTIVITY
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN FIXATION
PLANTS
ROOTS
SYMBIOSIS
TREES