The New Zealand alpine endemic Montigena novae-zelandiae (Fabaceae) shares rhizobial symbionts with Carmichaelia and Clianthus

Abstract

Thirteen rhizobial strains isolated from New Zealand Carmichaelia spp., Clianthus puniceus, Montigena novae-zelandiae (Montigena) and Sophora spp. and the Australian Swainsona galegifolia in the current or previous studies were tested for their ability to nodulate Montigena. Only rhizobial strains isolated from Carmichaelia spp., and those from Clianthus puniceus that produced functional nodules on their original host, and strains from Montigena produced functional nodules on Montigena. Strains that produced functional nodules on Sophora spp. or Swainsona galegifolia did not nodulate Montigena. Strains that nodulated Montigena, identified here or previously as Mesorhizobium spp., had variable 16S ribosomal RNA, recA and glnII but specific nifH, nodA and nodC genes. Results indicate that Montigena shares rhizobia with its closely related Carmichaelia and Clianthus but not Sophora spp. or Swainsona galegifolia and that the ability of different rhizobial strains to produce functional nodules on Montigena, Carmichaelia and Clianthus puniceus is likely to be dependent on specific symbiosis genes. © 2013 The Royal Society of New Zealand.