Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
1986
Thesis Director
John M. Speer
Abstract
The symbiotic relationship between Rhizobium japonicum (Kir.) Buch. and Glycine max (L.) Merr. was the concern of this thesis. This relationship occurs naturally in soybean fields. In the field there are many different strains of Rhizobium. Some of these strains fix atmospheric nitrogen more efficiently than others resulting in a higher crop yield. The problem is the more efficient nitrogen fixers are out-competed by less efficient nitrogen fixers. In order to solve this problem the more competitive strains have to be controlled. There are two main ways to do this. One is to increase the number of the desired strain(s) and the other way is to decrease the number of the undesirable strain(s). In this thesis the method used was to decrease the undesirable strain(s) by using bacteriophage specific for these strain(s). The bacteriophage, in theory, will only infect and lyse the strains for which it is specific. This will allow the desired strain to nodulate and fix nitrogen for the soybeans.
In order to test this method, first a bacteriophage had to be isolated from the soil and enriched. Then the bacteriophage had to be tested for strain specificity. Once this was determined, competition studies were set up with the bacteriophage to see if it could control the more competitive strains. After setting up the competition studies, the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) test was used for determining which strain of bacteria was in each nodule tested. This test will be described in detail.
Recommended Citation
Kelley, Lori, "The Effect of a Bacteriophage on the Competition of Rhizobium japonicum Strains for Nodulation of Glycine max (L.) Merr" (1986). Masters Theses. 2634.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2634
