Population mixing of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae nodulating Vicia faba: the role of recombination and lateral gene transfer

The level and mechanisms of population mixing among faba bean (Vicia faba) rhizobia of different geographic origins (three ecoregions of China and several Western countries) were analysed by sequencing three chromosomal housekeeping loci (atpD, recA and glnII) and one nodulation gene (nodD). Eight distinct sublineages of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae (Rlv) were identified by concatenated sequences of chromosomal loci. structure analysis revealed admixture patterns of Rlv populations of different geographic origins. Recombination, particularly among these chromosomal loci, was revealed to be an important microevolutionary force in shaping the observed genetic diversity and the phylogeny of Rlv. The phylogeny of nodD is largely independent of that of the chromosomal loci, reflecting multiple gene transfers between sublineages and possibly selection imposed by different faba bean gene pools. The dominant nodulation genotype of faba bean rhizobia in the spring growing region of China is identical to the prevalent type of Europe, while the winter growing region of China has another related, but distinct, dominant nodulation genotype. Although several geographically specific sublineages of Rlv were observed, recombination and lateral gene transfer have driven the process of population mixing among different ecoregions of China or between China and countries to the west.