Résumé
Functional diversity of rhizobia involved in phytate mineralization was determined in Vicia faba symbiosis in an agro-ecosystem of south of France. Among 60 isolates from V. faba nodules, 27 were able to hydrolyze phytate on selective medium. Amplified rhizobial phytase mRNA signal has been localized in V. faba nodules by using in situ RT-PCR with β-propeller phytases specific primers. Our results suggest that phytate-mineralizing rhizobia identified as R. leguminosarum bv. viciae could be found in V. faba symbiosis.