Genetic Characterization of Rhizobium Bacteria Isolated from Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Nodules and Its Effect on Growth

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is an important nitrogen source, providing a variety of legumes and pasture plants. Rhizobia is soil bacteria that can form nitrogen-fixing nodules on legumes. In this study, we have isolated 10 bacteria from root nodules of sugar beans from the Gembos plain Derebucak district of Konya, Turkey. The morphological and metabolic characteristics of the isolates were tested under laboratory conditions. According to molecular identification, eight bacterial isolates were identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and two isolates (F4DC and F6DC) were identified as Rhizobium gallicum. Field experiments were carried out to compare the effect of one native rhizobia (Rhizobium gallicum F4DC), chemical fertilizer, and nonfertilizer control in SFWRRI Sarayköy Research and Application Station in Ankara. Our results show that sugar bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) inoculation with Rhizobium gallicum F4DC (MZ156852) induced a significant increase in the number of nodules, grain yield, number of pods, and plant height compared to the control. These results show that Rhizobium gallicum F4DC is a suitable choice for use in symbiotic association with beans to work as a biofertilizer.