SYMBIOTIC PROPERTIES OF BRADYRHIZOBIUM SP (LUPINUS) ASSAYED ON SERRADELLA PLANTS

Physiological and symbiotic properties of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) nodule isolates were compared to the standard slow-growing Bradyrhizo bium sp. (Lupinus) strain USDA 3045. Lupine nodules isolates showed ty pical characteristics for bradyrhizobial strains and nodulated small s eed legume, serradella (Ornithopus sativus), in tube test. We observed a permanent physiological segregation of the effective (Fix(+)) and i neffective (Fix(-)) symbiotic phenotype for all tested bradyrhizobial strains during the growth of serradella in plant tube test. The ultras tructural differences between Fix(+) and Fix(-) serradella nodules wer e observed. Rapid and visible nodulation as well as easy assay of the reduction of acetylene make serradella a convenient system for studies of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) strains in laboratory conditions.