Evaluation of rhizobia isolated from nodules of an interspecific hybrid Lotus uliginosus × Lotus corniculatus

Evaluation of rhizobia isolated from nodules of an interspecific hybrid Lotus uliginosus Lotus corniculatusThe hybrid G1 was developed from a cross-breeding between Lotus uliginosus and Lotus corniculatus.The parent species belong to different inoculation compatibility groups, which refer to the specificity between these different Lotus species and the rhizobia genera (Bradyrhizobium or Mesorhizobium) capable of forming efficient nodules on their roots.Therefore, L. uliginosus and L. corniculatus require different commercial inoculants: Bradyrhizobium sp.strain U526 and Mesorhizobium sp.strain U510, respectively.Hybrid plants do not have a specific inoculant, which raises the question of which inoculation group they belong to.We hypothesise that G1 hybrid root nodules harbour more efficient strains than those used for the parental Lotus species.