Open Access

REVIEW

Endophytic Occupation in Nodules of Rhynchosia Plants from Semiarid Regions of Argentina

Cinthia T. Lucero¹, María de los Á. Ruíz², Fabiola Pagliero¹, Carolina Castaño¹, Mariela L. Ambrosino¹, Graciela S. Lorda^1,*

1 Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Ruta Nacional 35, km 330, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, CP, 6300, Argentina
2 INTA EEA Anguil “Ing. Agr. Guillermo Covas” Ruta Nacional 5, km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, CC11, 6326, Argentina

* Corresponding Author: Graciela S. Lorda. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Ecology of Rangelands in Argentina)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2024, 93(6), 1081-1099. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.050762

Received 17 February 2024; Accepted 13 May 2024; Issue published 27 June 2024

Abstract

Beneficial microbes can improve soil health by promoting soil structure, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. In addition, a wide array of rhizospheric microbes are responsible for producing metabolically active compounds including various types of plant growth regulators. So, microbial biodiversity studies could contribute to the improvement of agricultural practices in deprived areas, such as the Pampean semiarid region. The vast majority of studies conducted on endophytic microorganisms have focused on intensive crop legume species. In contrast, little attention has been paid to microorganisms of native legumes, whose ecology is not directly affected by human action. In this study, endophytic microorganisms isolated from root nodules of a selected native legume of the genus Rhynchosia were characterized. Viable isolates were studied with a focus on their plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) properties. Considering the edaphic characteristics of the Pampean semiarid region, the isolates obtained were evaluated for their ability to grow under three salt stress conditions (50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) and four different pH values (6, 7, 8, and 9). Based on their PGPR activities, the selected strains were phylogenetically grouped using BOX-PCR. The results showed great variability among the isolates in terms of the characteristics studied. Native legumes manifested a wide endophytic variability and remarkable performance in PGPR activities. We conclude that they could be used as potential bioinoculants for legume cultivation, an excellent alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers that currently pollute the environment.

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Keywords

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