PCR use of highly conserved DNA regions for identification of Sinorhizobium meliloti

A PCR identification method in which four primers that recognize homologous conserved regions in the Sinorhizobium meliloti genome are used was develo ped and tested. The regions used for identification were the nodbox 4 locus , which is located in one of the symbiotic megaplasmids,and the mucR gene, which is located in the chromosome. The new method was used to establish a collection of S. meliloti strains from polluted soils.