Ecology and Evolution of Rhizobia: Principles and Applications

This book reviews the history and development of rhizobial ecology (diversity, function and interactions with the biotic and abiotic environments), evolution (genome diversification, systematics of symbiotic genes) and application. Further, it describes the new concept of rhizobia, the latest systematic methods, biogeographic study methods, and genomic studies to identify the interactions between rhizobia, legumes and environments. To enable readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of rhizobial biogeography, the book provides effective protocols for the selection and application of high-efficiency rhizobial inoculants. In addition, it presents standard and modern methods used in studies on rhizobial ecology and evolution in dedicated appendices, making it a unique and valuable handbook for researchers.

Dr. Wen Xin Chen, Dr. Wen Feng Chen and Dr. Chang Fu Tian currently work at the College of Biological Sciences and Rhizobium Research Center, China Agricultural University. Dr. Wen Xin Chen was elected into the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2001. Dr. Wen Xin Chen and Dr. Chang Fu Tian are members of the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria.

Dr. En Tao Wang works at the Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico.

Dr. J Peter W Young is an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Ecology at the University of York. He is the Chairman of the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Rhizobia and Agrobacteria.