Tolerance of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli to acidity and drought

The strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli isolated from soils of Morocco were more tolerant than three culture collection strains to acid conditions in culture media or in sterile soil. The survival rate of a tolerant strain in a sandy acid soil was greater than a sensitive strain at different humidity levels. These properties should give locally selected strains an advantage in nodulating Phaseolus vulgaris roots in soils similar to those used here.