Genetic diversity of rhizobia nodulating common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey

We have analyzed 30 rhizobial isolates obtained from common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) root nodules grown in the Middle Blacksea Region of Turkey, using ARDRA and nucleotide sequence data. ARDRA analysis with enzymes Cfo I, Hinf I, Nde II, Msp I and Pst I revealed three patterns. Based on sequence data from 16S rDNA, the patterns were identified as, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli ( n = 16), R. etli bv. phaseoli ( n = 8) and R. phaseoli ( n = 6). On the other hand, nucleotide sequence phylogenies of housekeeping genes ( recA , atpD and glnII ) selected to confirm the 16S rDNA phylogeny revealed different evolutionary relationships. These results suggested the possibility of lateral transfers of these genes amongst different rhizobial species (including R. leguminosarum , R. etli and R. phaseoli ) sharing the same ecological niche (nodulating P. vulgaris ) which also indicates that there may be no true genetic barier among these species. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequence data from the nodA and nifH genes showed that all rhizobial species obtained in this study were carrying nodA and nifH haplotypes which were the same or similar to those of CFN42 ( R. etli type strain), suggesting a further support for the lateral transfer of CFN42 Sym plasmid, p42, amongst Turkish common bean nodulating rhizobial isolates.