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A maize-associated Rhizobium miluonense fixes nitrogen in free-living conditions through an exopolysaccharide-dependent biofilm mechanism.

Created on 25 Jun 2026

Authors

Esau De la Vega-Camarillo, Jossue Ortíz-Álvarez, Juan Alfredo Hernández-García, Lourdes Villa-Tanaca, César Hernández-Rodríguez

Published in

Microbial genomics. Volume 12. Issue 6.

Abstract

Rhizobium miluonense WD29, isolated from the rhizosphere of Jala landrace maize (Mexico), demonstrates FLNF, an unusual trait for this typically symbiotic genus. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 6.8 Mb genome (59.7% GC) with 6,908 protein-coding genes, including a complete repABC plasmid replication system and type IV secretion genes. The strain exhibits plant growth-promoting traits, including phosphate solubilization (26.1±1.9 µg ml-1), indolic compound production (19.7±2.5 µg ml-1) and metallophore production. Acetylene reduction assays demonstrated nitrogen fixation rates up to 21.7±2.3 nmol C2H4 h-1, which correlated strongly (r=0.973) with exopolysaccharide production (0.8±0.08 g l-1), suggesting that biofilm formation creates microaerobic conditions protecting nitrogenase. Genomic analysis identified 12 exo-cluster genes and 98 total polysaccharide biosynthesis genes that support this phenotype. Additionally, R. miluonense WD29 exhibits remarkable environmental adaptability, harbouring genes for heavy-metal resistance and diverse stress-response pathways. These findings highlight the potential of R. miluonense WD29 as a valuable biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture, particularly for non-leguminous crops such as maize, and underscore the importance of studying nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from traditional agricultural systems.

PMID:
42348301
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 25 Jun 2026.

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