Soundaryashree K.R., Bhavana D., Ashwini J., Shivarudraswamy D., Kumar J.R. and Nagalambika Prasad
Abstract
The present study aimed to isolate and identify Rhizobium species from root nodules of leguminous Trigonella foenum-graecum and Mimosa pudica plants collected from rural regions of Karnataka, India. Root nodules were extracted from healthy plants, and isolates were cultured on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA). Biochemical tests such as catalase, oxidase, indole, MR-VP, and citrate utilization confirmed Rhizobium characteristics. Optimization studies on pH, temperature, and inoculum size were conducted to assess growth efficiency. Biomass evaluation identified the most efficient isolate, which was subjected to molecular identification through DNA extraction using the CTAB method, PCR amplification, and sequencing. The study confirmed the presence of efficient Rhizobium strains with potential applications in nitrogen fixation and sustainable agriculture.