In vitro inhibition of nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria by rhizosphere actinomycetes associated with grasses
Zuberer, D.A.; Roth, M.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology 28(6): 705-709
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4166
DOI: 10.1139/m82-106
Accession: 005649395
Eighty-five isolates of actinomycetes were obtained from the rhizospheres of 10 indigenous grasses of central Texas [USA]. Of these, 10 were classified as members of the genus Nocardia; the remainder were members of the genus Streptomyces. To determine whether antibiotic production might be a significant factor in the establishment of associative symbioses between grasses and diazotrophic bacteria, 12 strains of free-living N-fixing bacteria were cross streaked against each actinomycete isolate. This in vitro assay indicated that 78% of the 85 isolates were antagonistic to at least one of the 12 N-fixing bacterial strains.