Effects of M. sativa inoculation with Variovorax in nutrient-poor soils. (a) Dry weight, (b) length, (c) number of nodules, and (d) nitrogen content in shoots of M. sativa plants after 60 days in pots with a nutrient-poor soil as a substrate under greenhouse conditions. Values are means ± S.D. (n = 16). Different letters indicate means that are significantly different from each other (one-way ANOVA; LSD test, p < 0.0001). C–: non inoculation; MA11: inoculation with Ensifer medicae MA11; Vg: inoculation with Variovorax gossypii JM-310T; Vp: inoculation with V. paradoxus S110T; Vg + MA11: co-inoculation with V. gossypii JM-310T and E. medicae MA11; Vp + MA11: co-inoculation with V. paradoxus S110T and E. medicae MA11; CSV: inoculation with V. gossypii JM-310T, V. paradoxus S110T, and E. medicae MA11.