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. 1978 Mar;133(3):1393–1400. doi: 10.1128/jb.133.3.1393-1400.1978

Ultrastructure of Rhizobium japonicum in relation to its attachment to root hairs.

A K Bal, S Shantharam, S Ratnam
PMCID: PMC222177  PMID: 565352

Abstract

In Rhizobium japonicum strain Nitragin 61A76, morphologically distinct types of bacteria were found to occur in yeast extract-mannitol broth cultures, at both mid-log and stationary phases. Of these only the capsular form, characterized by a smooth cell envelope, storage granules (glycogen and poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid), and an amorphous extracellular capsule, bound soybean lectin. The binding site was localized in the capsular material. Less than 1% of the bacterial population differentiated into these capsular forms, which were also able to attach to the soybean root hair surface.

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Selected References

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