The Rhizobia- Lotus Symbioses: Deeply Specific and Widely Diverse

The symbiosis between and rhizobia has been long considered very specific and only two bacterial species were recognized as the microsymbionts of : was considered the typical rhizobia for the complex, whereas sp. ( ) was the symbiont for and related species. As discussed in this review, this situation has dramatically changed during the last 15 years, with the characterization of nodule bacteria from worldwide geographical locations and from previously unexplored spp. Current data support that the rhizobia are dispersed amongst nearly 20 species in five genera ( , and ). As a consequence, could be regarded an infrequent symbiont of , and several plant-bacteria compatibility groups can be envisaged. Despite the great progress achieved with the model in understanding the establishment and functionality of the symbiosis, the genetic and biochemical bases governing the stringent host-bacteria compatibility pairships within the genus await to be uncovered. Several spp. are grown for forage, and inoculation with rhizobia is a common practice in various countries. However, the great diversity of the rhizobia is likely squandered, as only few bacterial strains are used as inoculants for pastures in very different geographical locations, with a great variety of edaphic and climatic conditions. The agroecological potential of the genus can not be fully harnessed without acknowledging the great diversity of rhizobia- interactions, along with a better understanding of the specific plant and bacterial requirements for optimal symbiotic nitrogen fixation under increasingly constrained environmental conditions.