Phenotypic selection and phase variation occur during alfalfa root colonization by Pseudomonas fluorescens F113.

ABSTRACT: During colonization of the alfalfa rhizosphere, Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 undergoes phenotypic variation, resulting in the appearance of colonies with different morphology. Among phenotypic variants, three isolates, C, F, and S were selected, with the C variant showing colony morphology identical to that of the inoculated wild-type strain and F and S having a translucent and diffuse morphology. Phenotypic variants F and S were shown to preferentially colonize distal parts of the roots and showed alterations in motility, swimming faster than the C variant and swarming under conditions that did not allow swarming of the C variant. The motility behavior correlated with overproduction of the fliC-encoded protein flagellin but not with hyperflagellation. Flagella of the F and S variants were

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Contreras M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC134892 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature