Sulphadimethoxine inhibits Phaseolus vulgaris root growth and development of N-fixing nodules.
Sulphonamides contamination of cultivated lands occurs through the recurrent spreading of animal wastes from intensive farming. The aim of this study was to test the effect(s) of sulphadimethoxine on the beneficial N-fixing Rhizobium etli-Phaseolus vulgaris symbiosis under laboratory conditions. The consequence of increasing concentrations of sulphadimethoxine on the growth ability of free-living R. etli bacteria, as well as on seed germination, seedling development and growth of common bean plants was examined. We have established that sulphadimethoxine inhibited the growth of both symbiotic partners in a dose-dependent manner. Bacterial invasion occurring in developing root nodules was visualized by fluorescence microscopy generating EGFP-marked R. etli bacteria. Our results proved that the development of symbiotic N-fixing root nodules is hampered by sulphadimethoxine thus identifying sulphonamides as toxic compounds for the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis: a low-input sustainable agricultural practice.
Sartorius
Marilena
M
Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Via P. Castellino 111, CP 80131, Naples, Italy.
Riccio
Anna
A
Cermola
Michele
M
Casoria
Paolo
P
Patriarca
Eduardo J
EJ
Taté
Rosarita
R
D000383:Agriculture; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation / Q000187:drug effects*; D027805:Phaseolus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D042163:Rhizobium etli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013412:Sulfadimethoxine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013559:Symbiosis
D013412:Sulfadimethoxine