Insights into the Phylogeny, Nodule Function, and Biogeographic Distribution of Microsymbionts Nodulating the Orphan Kersting’s Groundnut [ <i>Macrotyloma geocarpum</i> (Harms) Marechal &amp; Baudet] in African Soils

Rhizobia play important roles in agroecosystems, where they contribute to improving overall soil health through their symbiotic relationship with legumes. This study explored the microsymbionts nodulating Kersting’s groundnut, a neglected orphan legume. The results revealed the presence of different bradyrhizobial populations with high N 2 -fixing efficiencies as the dominant symbionts of this legume across diverse agroecologies in Africa. Our findings represent a useful contribution to the literature in terms of the community of microsymbionts nodulating a neglected cultivated legume and its potential for elevation as a major food crop. The presence of potentially novel bradyrhizobial symbionts of Kersting’s groundnut found in this study offers an opportunity for future studies to properly describe, characterize, and delineate these isolates functionally and phylogenetically for use in inoculant production to enhance food/nutritional security.