phenotypic features of 68 strains
isolated from
Glycyrrhiza Linn, growing in northwest arid-semiarid region of China, were
analyzed. 34 reference strains were included for comparison. The result showed that there were great diversities among strains
isolated from different geographic origin, the same geographic origin, and the different root nodules of the same root in carbon and nitrogen nutrient utilization, resistance to antibiotics, endurance to salt, alkali. Some strains had the properties of endurance to salt and alkali. 5 strains and 1 strain could endure 50g/L, 60g/L NaCl respectively. 20% and 43% strains could grow in YMA medium with pH5, pH12. Numerical taxonomy showed that the strains formed 3 groups at 85.5% similarity level. Group I contained 27 strains, 23 strains isolated from Xinjiang, 4 isolated from shannxi. Group II had 4 strains isolated from shannxi. Group III ( 6 strains isolated from shannxi, 2 isolated from Ningxia) were clustered into R.hainanense. Group I and group II may be new groups, which were not clustered into the reference strains, and there taxonomic status must be confirmed by further measurements.