Effect of manganese and zinc ions on the growth of Rhizobium.

Five strains, representing four species of Rhizobium, were grown in specially purified synthetic culture solutions with manganese or zinc ion concentrations ranging from 0 to 10(-5)m. Omission of Mn(2+) restricted growth to 0.4 to 10% of that of controls, depending on the species. Growth was generally maximum with 10(-6)m Mn(2+) and nearly so with 10(-5)m. Omission of Zn(2+) restricted growth to 1 to 20% of that of controls. Growth was generally maximum with 10(-7)m Zn(2+). The 10(-5)m level of Zn(2+) was toxic to a variable degree to all species, suppressing the growth of one strain of R. meliloti to 49% of that of controls, and of R. phaseoli to only 0.4% of that of controls. A Mn(2+) x Zn(2+) interaction was also obtained as evidenced by a higher apparent Zn(2+) requirement with 10(-7)m Mn(2+) than with 10(-6)m Mn(2+).