https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. In a study published in Science, researchers have resolved, for the first time, the high-resolution crystal structure of the complex formed between the NodD protein of pea rhizobia and a flavonoid compound (hesperetin). They elucidate how NodD recognizes flavonoids and reveal key structural elements in NodD that determine the specificity of signal recognition. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-deciphering-symbiotic-code-secret-handshake.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:08:32 EST news687172081 A research team has identified three rhizobia strains, Rhizobium sp. TZSR12C, Rhizobium sp. TZSR25B, and Bradyrhizobium sp. TZSR41A, which effectively suppressed root rot fungal pathogens in soybeans under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. These strains demonstrated significant potential as biocontrol agents, particularly Rhizobium sp. TZSR12C in greenhouse settings. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-unveils-rhizobia-strains-effective-soybean.html Biotechnology Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:02:19 EDT news640440136 While promiscuity among humans is often scorned, symbiotic promiscuity can be a sign of excellent teamwork in other species. Plant growth, especially in legumes, flourishes through mutualistic interactions with soil bacteria, commonly known as rhizobia. A successful interaction culminates with the formation of a root nodule, where rhizobia provide nitrogen to the plant. This association depends on complex chemical dialogs, which restrict plant-bacterial compatibility. However, exceptional cases of symbiotic promiscuity may occur, and certain legumes can develop nitrogen-fixing nodules with diverse rhizobia. https://phys.org/news/2023-01-legume-locus-promiscuous-interaction-soil.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 05 Jan 2023 11:25:17 EST news592140315 The mutually beneficial relationship between legumes and rhizobia, the nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria that make their home in legume root nodules and create nutrient-rich fertilizer for them, is one of the most well-known and agronomically important examples of symbiosis. New research from Dr. Kenjiro Quides, a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in the Grand Challenges Initiative at Chapman University, tested the boundaries of this relationship—and found that it's not always as perfectly harmonious as previously thought. https://phys.org/news/2021-02-hidden-conflict-mutually-beneficial-relationship.html Evolution Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:25:22 EST news532196717 Legumes, unlike most land plants, can form a root nodule symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The anatomy of the nodule in legume plants was described in the 17th century, and nodule cells were found to host endosymbiotic rhizobia for nitrogen fixation in the 19th century. https://phys.org/news/2020-12-biology-reveals-central-event-evolution.html Evolution Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:06:26 EST news526820784 For most of us, our closest encounter with the element fluorine is likely to be our toothpaste or a municipal water supply with added fluoride. https://phys.org/news/2020-07-fluorine.html Environment Mon, 13 Jul 2020 09:40:19 EDT news513852013 Plants need nitrogen in the form of ammonium if they are to grow. In the case of a great many cultivated plants, farmers are obliged to spread this ammonium on their fields as fertiliser. Manufacturing ammonium is an energy-intensive and costly process—and today's production methods also release large amounts of CO2. https://phys.org/news/2020-06-bacteria-fertilize-soya.html Biotechnology Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:13:31 EDT news510394387 Mutualisms, which are interactions between members of different species that benefit both parties, are found everywhere—from exchanges between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, to symbiotic interactions between us and our beneficial microbes. https://phys.org/news/2019-03-natural-favors-cheaters.html Evolution Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:54:27 EDT news472222458 Plant biologists at the University of Illinois and Michigan State University have pinpointed the area of genomes within nitrogen-fixing bacteria in roots, called rhizobia, that's being altered when the plant they serve is exposed to nitrogen fertilizer. https://phys.org/news/2016-04-effects-exposing-legumes-nitrogen-fertilizer.html Biotechnology Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:42:47 EDT news379348954 Along the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico is a 6,000-square mile dead zone of oxygen-depleted water filled with dead plants, dead fish and a damaged ecosystem. https://phys.org/news/2015-09-uncovers-microsopic-key-ocean-dead.html Biotechnology Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:37:45 EDT news362147855 A University of Otago researcher is part of an international team of scientists that has discovered how legumes, which include important agricultural species such as white clover, are able to tell helpful and harmful invading bacteria apart. https://phys.org/news/2015-07-bacteria-sweet-talk.html Biotechnology Thu, 09 Jul 2015 06:04:56 EDT news355640662 Janine Sherrier, professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware, is part of a team that has been awarded $6.8 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the legume Medicago truncatula. https://phys.org/news/2012-05-legume-lessons-fertilizer-beneficial-microbe.html Biotechnology Thu, 10 May 2012 10:43:58 EDT news255865417 Plants that live in the soil don't live alone -- a mere teaspoon of soil teems with an estimated billion microscopic organisms. https://phys.org/news/2009-09-root-microbes-affect-rice.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:12:05 EDT news171634295