A Search for Peas (Pisum Sativum L.) Showing Strain Specificity for Symbiotic Rhizobium Leguminosarum

Abstract

A wide variety of primitive pea types and other genetic stocks was tested under gnotobiotic conditions for nodulation and nitrogen fixation with each of two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum. A strain of Turkish origin (3624) formed active nodules on all 375 pea lines tested, while 24 peas from Afghanistan, 1 from Israel and 1 from Turkey were totally or partially resistant to nodulation by the other strain (2550), which was of European origin. Tests with other Rhizobium strains established that the plasmid pRL5JI present in strain 3624 was required for nodulation of those lines not nodulated by the strain 2550. © 1982 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.