Taxonomy of Rhizobia: Progress and Disputation

Abstract:

Rhizobia, which are symbiotes of leguminous plants, are of considerable environmental and agricultural importance due to their nitrogen fixation properties. With the development of new molecular biological techniques, new methods are applied to the rhizobia classification, with the polyphasic approach being the most reliable. This advancement has led to the reorganization of already classified species of rhizobia, as well as to the identification of new species from an array of as yet unexplored legume plants from various environments. Here we discuss the progress made in the evolutionary systematics of Rhizobia, as well as the disputes associated therewith.