Rhizobium strain × host genotype interactions for white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes with different aluminium tolerances

Abstract

Growth of two aluminium (Al)‐tolerant white clover (Trifolium repens L.) genotypes and two Al‐susceptible genotypes, inoculated with four different Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strains, was compared in sterile sand culture. There were no host genotype × Rhizobium strain interactions, probably because of the narrow genetic origin of the plants tested. It is concluded that as long as the programme to breed a synthetic Al‐tolerant clover cultivar is restricted to a narrow genetic base, then co‐selection of plant and microbial symbiont is unnecessary.

Keywords:

• Rhizobium
• nitrogen
• nodulation
• Trifolium repens
• white clover