Factors affecting adsorption of Azospirillum brasilense Cd to root hairs as compared with root surface of wheat

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Abstract
Electron microscopy of wheat (Triticum aestivum) roots inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense Cd revealed massive adsorption of bacterial cells to the root surface and less adsorption to root hairs. Quantitative analysis of A. brasilense Cd adsorption to root surface and to root hairs, confirmed qualitatively by light microscopy observations, revealed a bacterial adsorption ratio of 5 (+2): 1 (root surface: root hairs). Extreme bacterial adsorption ratios were recorded when bacteria were previously grown in the presence of KNO3 (27:1) or when bacterial cells were inoculated under hydroponic plant growth conditions (80:1). Adsorption of A. brasilense Cd to roots was directly related to the bacterial growth phase, with logarithmic phase cultures demonstrating a greater adsorption than stationary phase cultures. Adsorption to root hairs was dependent mainly on the number of root hairs developed under certain growth conditions. When very few root hairs had developed, most of the bacterial cells were adsorbed to the root surface. Factors such as starvation, bacteria grown in culture in the presence of KNO3, addition of several nutrients, and protease or NaEDTA treatments of bacterial cells before the adsorption assay decreased bacterial adsorption to root hairs. Other factors such as microaerophilic growth conditions, addition of several bacterial chemoattractants, and cellulase-treated root hairs enhanced bacterial adsorption. It is proposed that although A. brasilense Cd adsorbed to every part of the root system, more cells adsorbed to the root surface of wheat than to the root hairs.Key words: associative bacteria, Azospirillum, bacterial adsorption, beneficial bacteria, rhizosphere bacteria, root-hair colonization.