Genomic diversity and distribution of Mesorhizobium nodulating chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from low pH soils of ethiopia

Abstract Chickpea is the third most important grain legume worldwide. This is due in part to its high protein content that results from its ability to acquire bioavailable nitrogen when colonized by diverse, nitrogen fixing Mesorhizobium species. However, the diversity and distribution of mesorhizobia communities may depend on their adaptation to soil conditions. Therefore, this study was initiated in order to isolate and investigate the diversity and taxonomic identities of chickpea-nodulating Mesorhizobium species from low pH soils of Ethiopia. A total of 81 rhizobia strains were isolated from chickpea nodules harvested from low pH soils throughout Ethiopia, and their genomes were sequenced and assembled. Considering a representative set of the best-sequenced 81 genomes, the average sequence depth was 30X, with estimated average genome sizes of approximately 7 Mbp. Annotation of the assembled genome predicted an average of 7,453 protein-coding genes. Concatenation of 400 universal PhyloPhlAn conserved genes present in the genomes of all 81 strains allowed detailed phylogenetic analysis, from which eight well-supported species were identified, including M. opportunistum, M. australicum, Mesorhizobium sp. LSJC280BOO, M. wenxiniae, M. amorphae, M. loti and M. plurifarium, as well as a novel species. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the symbiosis-related (nodC and nifH) genes were different from the core genes and consistent with horizontal transfer of the symbiotic island. The two major genomic groups, M. plurifarium and M. loti, were widely distributed in almost all the sites. The geographic pattern of genomic diversity indicated there was no relationship between geographic and genetic distance (r=0.01, p>0.01). In conclusion, low pH soils in Ethiopia harbored a diverse group of Mesorhizobium species, several of which were not previously known to nodulate chickpea.