Efecto de la adición de lectina específica sobre la simbiosis Rhizobium leguminosarum--Phaseolus vulgaris / Effect of the addition of specific lectin on the symbiosis of Rhizobium leguminosarum and Phaseolus vulgaris

RESUMO

The effect of specific lectin addition on Rhizobium leguminosarum-Phaseolus vulgaris symbiosis characteristics was studied. Two alternatives were selected for comparison a) P. vulgaris seedling roots treated with lectin were inoculated with R. leguminosarum and b) P. vulgaris seedling roots were inoculated with R. leguminosarum incubated with lectin for 3 h and 72 h. The following parameters were evaluated number and dry weight of nodules and dry matter and nitrogen content of shoot. In lectin treatments, the weight of nodules (from 13 to 35), dry matter (from 6 to 18) and nitrogen content (from 5 to 28) increased significantly. The results suggest a stimulation in the formation of functional-nodules, specially in root (a) and Rhizobium (b) 72 h treatments. That is consistent with a model in which the lectin functions as an extracellular matrix component of the root interacting with roots and Rhizobium s.p. receptors.