The first steps of molecular signal exchange between the bean plant and its Rhizobium spp. microsymbionts were studied. The effects on nodulation of the addition of seed exudates of two different leguminous tree plants, Mimosa flocculosa or Leucaena leucocephala, in the presence of R. tropici, R. etli or R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli were studied. The expression of nod genes was also measured "in vitro" by the activity of ß-glucuronidase on different genetically modified strains possessing the fusion nodA::gusA, using as inducers seed exudates from both leguminous trees. In general, a very complex interaction among the different inducers was observed. Seed exudates, both from Mimosa and Leucaena, led to a significant raise on initial nodulation of the bean plant when inoculated with the strain of R. etli CFN 42 but not when inoculated with R. tropici or R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli. Mixed beans and Mimosa seed exudates presented a sinergistic effect on the expression of nod genes, measured by the activity of ß-glucuronidase, on strains of R. tropici (CIAT 899/pGUS 32, F 98.5/pGUS 32) and R. etli (CFN 42/pGUS 32). The addition of nitrogen did decrease common bean nodulation except when the plants were inoculated with the strain CIAT 899 (R. tropici) and supplied with seed exsudates from M. flocculosa.
Phaseolus vulgaris; nod genes; molecular signals; ß-glucuronidase; symbiosis