Abstract
The growth of Rhizobium meliloti 1021 in an experimental alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) rhizosphere was stimulated by adding nanomolar amounts of biotin. To overcome this biotin limitation, R. meliloti strains were constructed by conjugating the Escherichia coli biotin synthesis operon into biotin auxotroph R. meliloti 1021-B3. Transconjugant strains Rm1021-WS10 and Rm1021-WS11 grew faster in vitro and achieved a higher cell density than did R. meliloti 1021 and overproduced biotin on a defined medium. The increase in cell yield was associated with as much as a 99% loss in viability for Rm1021-WS11, but data suggested that a separate stabilizing factor in the E. coli DNA reduced cell death in Rm1021-WS10. In rhizosphere tests, the recombinant strains showed delayed growth and competed poorly against Rm1021.