Abstract
Six rhizobiophages designated as RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4, RC5 and RC6, infective against six strains of chickpea Rhizobium were isolated from field soils. Seasonal incidence, morphology, host range and inactivation pattern of the phages to heat and UV-light were studied. Four investigated phages were differentiated into two morphological types; one with hexagonal head and a long flexible tail (RC1 and RC5), the other with hexagonal head and a very short tail (RC2 and RC3). Electron microscopic examination of phage RC1 infected cells revealed that phage multiplication occurred at one pole of the cell. Phage RC3 appeared to be more thermal sensitive than others and exhibited one component inactivation while relatively resistant phages (RC1 and RC2) revealed two component inactivation. The six phages could be grouped into two classes on the basis of UV sensitivity; relatively resistant (RC1, RC2 and RC5) and sensitive (RC3, RC4 and RC6).
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Dhar, B., Ramkrishna, K. Morphology and general characteristics of phages of chickpea rhizobia. Arch. Microbiol. 147, 121–125 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00415272
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00415272