Rhizobium strains go underground

摘要

A collection of Rhizobium plant root bacterial strains from Murdoch University is the latest genetic 'asset' being stored deep underground in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway for future generations. Murdoch University Professor John Howieson says the preservation of the Rhizobium strains - which form nodules on the roots of legume plants to fix available nitrogen from the air - will be critical to the success of future agriculture. Professor Howieson says his research group at Murdoch 'has the most important collection of nodule bacteria in the world'.