Microbial colonization and decomposition processes in rice rhizoplane. I. microbial colonization associated with lateral root emergence

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Abstract
Rice roots were collected sequentially during the whole period of cultivation and observed under both a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Only bacteria colonized the rice roots. The colonization was usually more active in the region of lateral root emergence than in other regions except the region with a large number of root hairs and mucigel-like substance. Bacterial colonization in the region of lateral root emergence proceeded through the following 4 stages: pre-emergence (stage 1), early emergence (stage 2), full emergence (stage 3), and post emergence (stage 4). At stages 1 and 2, the cells and tissues of the epidermal and exodermal layers were variously affected by the emergence of lateral roots. However, they were not colonized by bacteria probably due to some mechanisms preventing the affected cells and tissues from being colonized by the bacteria. At stage 3, a mucigel-like substance was present near the emerged lateral roots. Many bacterial cells were associated with this substance. In addition, bacteria colonized the cells within the epidermal layer surrounding the lateral roots, and extended their niche along the epidermal layer. But they did not colonize the interior of the roots. At stage 4, bacterial colonization in the epidermal layer became both extensive and intensive.

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