Nico P. Nouwen

This paper identifies free-living Bradyrhizobium as the ancestral state of nitrogen fixation, showing that symbiotic nitrogen fixation evolved multiple times independently from free-living ancestors.

This paper identifies a gene duplication-derived RLCK in Aeschynomene legumes that mediates Nod-independent rhizobial symbiosis, distinct from arbuscular mycorrhizal interactions.

The paper expands the diversity of nod-free Bradyrhizobium strains and shows that NF-independent nodulation is common in this supergroup.

This study shows that AeORM1, a sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator, is essential for nodule formation and lateral root development in Aeschynomene evenia.