Obtaining and characterization of a mutant of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 defective in lectin activity

A mutant of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 defective in lectin activity was ob tained by TnS-mutagenesis. Comparative study of the adhesion of parent and mutant cells on wheat roots confirmed the involvement of bacterial lectin i n this process. Although lectin molecules were present on the surface of mu tant cells and had the same molecular weight and carbohydrate specificity a s those of the parent cells, they did not bind lectin-specific antibodies.