indigenous (Belgian) rhizobia and associated bacteria Genome sequencing

We identified indigenous (Belgian) rhizobia that can nodulate locally adapted early-maturing soybean cultivars. By means of isolation techniques combined with 16S rRNA PCR, 16S metabarcoding studies and ONT sequencing, we not only revealed the bacterial nodule diversity but also identified the most abundantly nodule-residing rhizobial strain. The nodulation efficiency of a selection of these rhizobia was tested and confirmed in the laboratory. These rhizobia may have the potential to be used as inoculants on fields to improve the local soybean productivity in Northwestern Europe.