ENDOSYMBIOSIS FORMATION BETWEEN NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA PSEUDOMONAS-CARYOPHYLLI AND RAPE ROOT-CELLS

The combined use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) - the plant growth-regulator, and Pseudomonas caryophylli, a rhizospheric associa tive diazotroph that normally lacks the ability to form nodules on pla nts roots, led to the appearance of a new plant-bacterial nitrogen-fix ing symbiotic system with rape as the host. The infection of nodule-li ke structures (para-nodules) induced by 2,4-D on rape roots by Ps. car yophylli strain has been obtained. Close interrelations revealed betwe en the partners in the endosymbiosis are expressed both cytologically and physiologically. Penetration of the bacteria within nodule-like st ructures and their location in plant cell periplasm have been found ou t. High nitrogen-fixing activity of the system testifies to the fact t hat Ps. caryophylli cells are in active form within para-nodules.