SIMULATION OF EVOLUTION OF THE LEGUME-RHIZOBIA SYMBIOSIS FOR AN IMPROVED FUNCTIONAL INTEGRITY OF PARTNERS AND FOR ECOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF THEIR INTERACTION

Simulation of evolution in the legume-rhizobial symbiosis allowed us to suggest the mathematical criterion (index) for the functional integrity of symbiosis (FIS). Calculation of FIS index is based on analysis of the covariance matrix of partners’ frequencies influenced by fluctuations of the systemic parameters. The positive correlations of FIS with ecological efficiency of symbiosis (its impact on the seed productivity of plants) and a negative correlation with the partners’ diversity indices were demonstrated. The revealed dependences allow us to explain the increasing of structural-functional integrity in mutualistic symbiosis byoperation of the natural selection in favor of an improved ecological efficiency of partners’ interactions.