SALINE STRESS AFFECTS THE ATTACHMENT OF AZOSPIRILLUM-BRASILENSE CD TOMAIZE AND WHEAT ROOTS

The present work was designed to study the effect of saline stress on the attachment of Azospirollum brasilense to maize and wheat roots. We demonstrate that both attachment steps (adsorption and anchoring) are altered. A 100-kDa protein disappeared under these experimental condi tions. Coincidently, a 100-kDa flagellum protein has been identified a s the agent responsible for adsorption. However, the adhesive properti es of bacteria appear to involve other factors, such as the ionic stre ngth of the medium. The impairment of anchoring ability was correlated with alterations in exopolysaccharide, glucan, and lipopolysaccharide contents.