Diversity, phylogeny and host specificity of soybean and peanut bradyrhizobia

A study on the diversity, phylogeny, and host specificity of soybean (Glycine max L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) bradyrhizobia was conducted based on the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), 16S rRNA sequencing, and 16S–23S rRNA intergenetic spacer (IGS) RFLP assays. Based on 16S rRNA RFLP assay, tested bradyrhizobia were divided into five genotypes, which could be further clustered into five groups by IGS RFLP assays. According to the 16S rRNA sequencing, strains of IGS-II, IV, and V were phylogenetically related to Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and Bradyrhizobium elkanii, while strains of IGS-Ic and IGS-III related to Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense and Bradyrhizobium canariense, respectively. All isolates could crossly nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris, forming small white nodules. Strains of IGS-II originally isolated from peanut could efficiently nodulate Glycine soja, and two strains isolated from soybean could also nodulate peanut.