Phylogenetic studies on uncultured Frankia populations in nodules of Datisca cannabina.

Part of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified directly from uncultured endophyte populations within the root nodules of Datisca cannabina and three strains isolated from nodules of Alnus glutinosa (AgKG'84/4), Coriaria nepalensis (Cn3), and D. cannabina (Dc2). Sequence comparison based on 930 nucleotides indicated that the endophyte of D. cannnbina nodules belongs to the genus Frankia and is highly related to the endophyte of C. nepalensis root nodules. The relatedness of the endophytes of C. nepalensis and D. cannabina nodules was also reflected by closely related nifH sequences amplified from the nodules. 16S rRNA sequence analysis of the noninfective strains obtained from both D. cannnbina (Dc2) and C. nepalensis (Cn3) nodules also revealed the close relationship of these strains to the genus Frankia.