Rhizobium loti, a New Species of Legume Root Nodule Bacteria

Abstract

Comparative studies of fast-growing Lotus rhizobia were reviewed, and as a result a new species, Rhizobium loti, is proposed. The type strain of this species, which was isolated from a root nodule on Lotus corniculatus (bird’s-foot trefoil), is NZP 2213 (= ATCC 33669). Plant specificity, phage relationships, the solubleprotein pattern, and deoxyribonucleic acid base sequence homology distinguished R. loti from currently recognized Rhizobium species.