This book reviews the history and development of rhizobial ecology (diversity, function and interactions with the biotic and abiotic environments), evolution (genome diversification, systematics of symbiotic genes) and application. Further, it describes the new concept of rhizobia, the latest systematic methods, biogeographic study methods, and genomic studies to identify the interactions between rhizobia, legumes and environments. To enable readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of rhizobial biogeography, the book provides effective protocols for the selection and application of high-efficiency rhizobial inoculants. In addition, it presents standard and modern methods used in studies on rhizobial ecology and evolution in dedicated appendices, making it a unique and valuable handbook for researchers.
Preface.- Chapter
1. Symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes.- Chapter
2.
History of rhizobial taxonomy.- Chapter
3. Current Systematics of
rhizobia.- Chapter
4. Genomics and evolution of rhizobia.- Chapter
5.
Symbiosis genes: diversity and organization.- Chapter
6. Evolution of
symbiosis genes: Vertical and horizontal gene transfer.- Chapter
7. Diversity
of interactions between rhizobia and legumes.- Chapter
8. Geographical
distribution of rhizobia.- Chapter
9. Environmental determinants of
biogeography of rhizobia.- Chapter
10. Effects of host plants on biogeography
of rhizobia.- Chapter
11. Rhizobial genomics and biogeography.- Chapter
12.
Current status of rhizobial inoculants.- Chapter
13. Screening for effective
rhizobia.- Chapter
14. Usage of rhizobial inoculants in agriculture.- Chapter
15. Rhizobial activity beyond nitrogen fixation.- Chapter
16. Working on the
taxonomy, biodiversity, ecology and evolution of
rhizobia.- Index.- Acknowledgments.
Dr. Wen Xin Chen, Dr. Wen Feng Chen and Dr. Chang Fu Tian currently work at the College of Biological Sciences and Rhizobium Research Center, China Agricultural University. Dr. Wen Xin Chen was elected into the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2001. Dr. Wen Xin Chen and Dr. Chang Fu Tian are members of the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria.
Dr. En Tao Wang works at the Departamento de Microbiologķa, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico.
Dr. J Peter W Young is an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Ecology at the University of York. He is the Chairman of the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria.
