MOLECULAR RELATIONSHIP OF AN ATYPICAL AZOSPIRILLUM STRAIN 4T TO OTHER AZOSPIRILLUM SPECIES

DNA/DNA hybridization, plasmid content and partial 16S rDNA sequence were determined to confirm the relationship between two Azospirillum strains, 4B and 4T, isolated from the same rice rhizosphere. The partial 16S rDNA sequence was determined for 9 strains belonging to 5 Azospirillum species which included Azospirillum lipoferum strains 4B and 4T, and was compared to a set of ribosomal sequences from other bacteria of the alpha subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Four Azospirillum species sequences were found to form a coherent group, whereas A. halopraeferens was found to be more divergent. The five Azospirillum species were closely related to Magnetos pirillum and to a lesser extent to Rhodospirillum, with which they share some morphological features. The partial 16S rDNA sequences of the two strains 4B and 4T were identical and confirmed the closeness of these two strains. Plasmid content and DNA/DNA hybridization data (S1 nuclease and Delta Tm) grouped Azospirillum strains 4B and 4T with the other strains of species Azospirillum lipoferum (USA5a, 59b, BR17). Other biochemical and genetic characters confirmed the grouping of Azospirillum strains 4B and 4T together with A. lipoferum.