The ability of rhizobacteria to compete with other microorganisms for root colonization may be critical for its establishment on a root. Over a 6 day period, visualization of the spatial and temporal rhizosphere distribution of a bioluminescent-marked rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida, strain GR7.4lux, was examined on soybean grown in non-sterile soil conditions. Luminometry technologies showed a rapid root distribution of rhizobacteria where bioluminescence was particularly intense on the seed and upper root parts. The results provide new information on rhizobial root distribution, where, using enrichment broth, 50% of the root tips were still colonized by rhizobacteria up to 6 days after sowing. This suggests that rhizobial enrichment is required to detect low populations at the root tip. Bioluminescent technology represents a promising alternative to previous methods for studying rhizobial growth and distribution on roots.
Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.