Nodule formation efficiency evaluation and nifH gene detection of Rhizobium species isolated from Egyptian soil
A. G. Abo-Elwafa, W. S. Mohammed and F. A. El-Feky
Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

ABSTRACT
Nitrogen Fixing bacteria have a major role in supplying plants with their nitrogen requirements. Fifty bacterial strains were isolated from the soil at Billay, Al-Santah, Gharbia governorate, Egypt, which had been previously cultivated with Egyptian Faba bean. They were classified into eight groups based on the morphological and biochemical tests. All groups have been tested for two approach, firstly effective Rhizobium inoculation on different hosts of legumes, secondly detection of nifH gene based on three different nifH gene primers. The results showed that the group number 5 has been positively formed nodulation on Egyptian clover roots, nifH gene is positively detected in Rhizobium isolates (5, 10, 12, 21, 22). From this study we recommend that the Rhizobium has intensive role as a biofertilizer in soil fertilization.