Abstract
The present article reports on the possible genetic transformability of acid tolerance trait to its homologous sensitive counterpart. The plasmid-cured derivative of the acid tolerant bradyrhizobial isolate RJL2 showed significant growth responses in acidified (pH4.5) culture medium, thus showing non-plasmid control of this trait. Acid-sensitive, but rifampicin-resistant (100μg/ml) Bradyrhizobium TAL216 when was exposed to transforming DNA from RJL2 produced transformant cells at a significant frequency showing both acid tolerance and rif-resistance phenotypes. The growth and survival of both acid tolerant strains RJL2 and the resultant transformants were found to be comparable in acidic soil and in culture medium.
