Potential of seed and root exudates of the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. for immediate induction of rhizobial chemotaxis and nod genes

Immediate induction of rhizobial chemotaxis and nod genes by seed and root exudates of the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. was investigated. One hour after the onset of Rhizobium incubation in a culture medium composed of common bean exudates and soil extract, a large number of Rhizobium cells were attracted by the seed exudates of all the cultivars (cvs Hokkaikintoki, Himetebou and Kurodanekinugasa), while the media containing root exudates was not statistically different from the control. After 1 h of incubation, the nod genes were induced significantly by the seed exudates of Himetebou and Kurodanekinugasa. In contrast, the seed exudate of Hokkaikintoki and the root exudates of all the cultivars failed to exert a beneficial effect on the immediate induction of the nod genes. These results suggested that the seed exudates displayed a higher potential for immediate induction of rhizobial chemotaxis and nod genes than the root exudates, except for nod gene induction by the seed exudate of Hokkaikintoki.