''Ensifer fredii'' is a nitrogen fixing bacterium. It is a fast-growing

root nodule Root nodules are found on the roots of plants, primarily legumes, that form a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, capable plants form a symbiotic relationship with a host-specific strain of bacteria known ...

bacterium. ''Ensifer fredii'' exhibits a broad host-range and is able to nodulate both determinant hosts, such as soy, as well as indeterminate hosts including the pigeon pea. Because of their ease of host infection there is interest in their genetics and the symbiotic role in host infection and nodule formation.

History

''Ensifer fredii'' was first isolated from

soybean The soybean, soy bean, or soya bean (''Glycine max'') is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean. Soy is a staple crop, the world's most grown legume, and an important animal feed. Soy is a key source o ...

s. The type strain was isolated from a root nodule of '' Glycine max'' growing in

Hunan Province Hunan is an inland province in Central China. Located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze watershed, it borders the province-level divisions of Hubei to the north, Jiangxi to the east, Guangdong and Guangxi to the south, and Guizhou and Chon ...

, China, designated strain USDA 205 (= ATCC 35423 = PRC 205).

History

References

Further reading