title: Multi locus sequence analysis and symbiotic characterization of novel Ensifer strains nodulating Tephrosia spp. in the Indian Thar Desert.
abstract: Phylogenetically diverse Ensifer strains associated with five species of Tephrosia growing in alkaline soils of semi-arid regions of the Thar Desert were characterized using multi locus sequence analysis. Based on 16S rRNA and four protein-coding housekeeping gene (recA, atpD, glnII and dnaK) sequences, the Tephrosia-Ensifer strains were genetically different from the type strains of Ensifer saheli, Ensifer kostiensis, Ensifer terangae (African origin) and Ensifer psoraleae (Asiatic origin). One strain, Ensifer sp. TL4, showed maximum similarity (99%) to Ensifer adhaerens LMG 20216Tand formed a separate lineage close to it. Phylogenetic incongruence between sym and housekeeping genes was observed. The monophyletic origin of symbiotic genes from Asia in the Tephrosia-Ensifer strains from the Thar Desert suggests that they might have been acquired from a common ancestor and horizontally transferred. These novel strains are promiscuous, cross-nodulating some papilionoid crop species, mimosoid trees and the caesalpinioid Chamaecrista pumila. This study improves understanding of the distribution of Ensifer in unexplored and threatened alkaline arid regions of the Thar Desert and how this relates to other similar regions in the world.
authors: BNF and Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: nishatak13@gmail.com.
authors: Nisha
authors: N
authors: Tak
authors: BNF and Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Esha
authors: E
authors: Awasthi
authors: BNF and Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Garima
authors: G
authors: Bissa
authors: BNF and Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Raju Ram
authors: RR
authors: Meghwal
authors: The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK.
authors: Euan K
authors: EK
authors: James
authors: Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK.
authors: Janet S
authors: JS
authors: Sprent
authors: BNF and Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: hsgehlot@gmail.com.
authors: Hukam S
authors: HS
authors: Gehlot
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D003889:Desert Climate; D020043:Genes, Essential / Q000235:genetics*; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics; D012230:Rhizobiaceae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology; D031304:Tephrosia / Q000382:microbiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D014157:Transcription Factors; D011938:Rec A Recombinases
keywords: Ensifer; Legume; Multi locus sequence analysis (MLSA); Symbiosis; Tephrosia; Thar Desert