Abstract
The actinorhizal symbioses are mutualistic relationships between the actinomycete genus Frankia and a number of dicotyledonous plant genera belonging to eight diverse plant families. Root nodules of actinorhizal plants induced by Frankia are morphologically distinct from legume nodules which are formed by rhizobia. Frankia is relatively conservative in its interaction with its host species, despite its broad host range. Four host-specific groups have been described; however, if one disregards cross-inoculation data from the two promiscuous host genera (Gymnostoma and Myrica), only three major groups need to be defined. There are two modes of root infections: root hair infection and intercellular penetration. Frankia has a mycelial growth habit consisting of two specialized structures: vesicle and sporangium. The vesicle is the multicellular structure where the enzyme nitrogenase is located. To protect this oxygen-sensitive enzyme, the vesicle is morphologically modified from vegetative cells. A multilamellar envelope surrounds it to reduce diffusion of oxygen into the structure. In the sporangium, numerous single-celled sporangiospores are borne. Frankia strains share sequence similarity of their nitrogenase (nif) genes with other nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It is also possible that they share some homology in nodulation (nod) genus with rhizobia. There are variations in effectiveness in N2 fixation among Frankia strains within a group. Nodulated with highly effective strains of Frankia, the actinorhizal plants could play a major role in wood production and soil fertility improvement arising from symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
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Boonkerd, N. (1998). Symbiotic association between Frankia and actinorhizal plants. In: Malik, K.A., Mirza, M.S., Ladha, J.K. (eds) Nitrogen Fixation with Non-Legumes. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 79. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5232-7_38
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5232-7_38
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