Nodules infected by the ΔssuD mutant contain less viable bacteria than those by the WT USDA110. Significantly fewer CFU of the ΔssuD mutant were reisolated from nodules than of the WT strain. Three plants were used, and 10 nodules from each plant were weighed, pooled, homogenized, and used for CFU determination. *, P < 0.01 versus WT.