Enhanced nodulation and symbiotic effectiveness of Medicago truncatula when co-inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens WSM3457 and Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) medicae WSM419

Abstract

Aims: Low numbers of rhizobia in soil or inoculants delay nodulation and decrease symbiotic legume productivity. This study investigated the effect of co-inoculation with a helper bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens WSM3457 on the Medicago truncatula - Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) medicae WSM419 symbiosis challenged by a low inoculum dose. Methods: In a glasshouse experiment the effect of co-inoculation with WSM3457 on the kinetics of nodule initiation and development was assessed 5,7,10,14,1721, and 42 days after inoculation of M. truncatula cv. Caliph with 103 cells/plant of E. medicae WSM419. Results: Co-inoculated plants had enhanced rate of nodule initiation and development, greater numbers of larger crown nodules, and by day 42 accumulated more N than plants inoculated with E. medicae WSM419 alone. Nodule development was altered by co-inoculation. Approximately 25% of nodule initials on co-inoculated plants formed in closely associated pairs, young nodules were larger with multiple meristems and developed into cluster-like multi-lobed nodules compared to those on WSM419 inoculated plants. Molecular typing showed WSM3457 occupied a significant proportion of root nodules on co-inoculated plants. Conclusion: Co-inoculation with P. fluorescens WSM3457 enhanced symbiotic effectiveness of M. truncatula when inoculated with a low inoculum dose of E. medicae WSM419. © 2011 The Author(s).