Sinorhizobium meliloti associated with Medicago sativa and Melilotus spp. in arid saline soils in Xinjiang, China.

Of 42 rhizobial isolates from Medicago sativa and Melilotus spp. growing in arid saline fields in Xinjiang, China, 40 were identified as Sinorhizobium meliloti by a polyphasic approach. However, diverse groups were obtained from these isolates in numerical taxonomy and SDS-PAGE of proteins. They could grow at pH 10.5 and were tolerant to 2.5-4.0% (w/v) NaCl.