Rapid In Situ Evolution of Nodulating Strains for <i>Biserrula pelecinus</i> L. through Lateral Transfer of a Symbiosis Island from the Original Mesorhizobial Inoculant

Abstract

Diverse rhizobia able to nodulate Biserrula pelecinus evolved following in situ transfer of nodA and nifH from an inoculant to soil bacteria. Transfer of these chromosomal genes and the presence of an identical integrase gene adjacent to a Phe tRNA gene in both the inoculant and recipients indicate that there was lateral transfer of a symbiosis island.