Comparative Analysis Reveals Host Species-Dependent Diversity Among 16 Virulent Bacteriophages Isolated Against Soybean <i>Bradyrhizobium</i> spp.

ABSTRACT: Phages play a role in shaping ecosystems by controlling host abundance via cell lysis, driving host evolution via horizontal gene transfer, and promoting nutrient cycling. The genus Bradyrhizobium includes bacteria able to symbiotically nodulate the roots of soybean (Glycine max), providing the plant with a direct source of biologically fixed nitrogen. Optimizing this symbiosis can minimize the use of nitrogen fertilizers and make soybean production more sustainable. Phages targeting Bradyrhizobium may modify their hosts' genotype, alter phenotypic traits such as symbiotic effectiveness, and mediate competition among strains for nodulation sites. Sixteen phages were isolated against B. elkanii strains USDA94 and USDA31, and B. diazoefficiens strain USDA11

SUBMITTER: Morgese EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12632393 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature