Paramesorhizobium

Paramesorhizobium is a genus of bacteria that belongs to the family Rhizobiaceae. This genus was first described in 2015 by Mousavi et al., who proposed the creation of a new genus to accommodate the species Rhizobium deserti, Rhizobium kilimandschari, and Rhizobium giardinii. The genus name is derived from the Greek words para (beside) and meso (middle), referring to the phylogenetic position of this genus, which is close to the genera Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium.

Characteristics

Species of Paramesorhizobium are Gram-negative bacteria, rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming. They are capable of nitrogen fixation, a process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use for growth. This makes them important for agriculture, as they can improve soil fertility and crop yield.

Species

The genus Paramesorhizobium currently includes the following species:

• Paramesorhizobium deserti
• Paramesorhizobium kilimandschari
• Paramesorhizobium giardinii

Ecology and Distribution

Paramesorhizobium species are found in various environments, including desert soils and the rhizosphere of leguminous plants. They form symbiotic relationships with legumes, providing them with nitrogen in exchange for carbohydrates.

Medical Importance

While Paramesorhizobium species are not typically associated with human disease, they may have potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. For example, their ability to fix nitrogen could be harnessed to develop new strategies for sustainable agriculture, which could indirectly impact human health by improving food security.

See Also

• Rhizobiaceae
• Nitrogen fixation
• Symbiosis