Bacterial biofilms: role in Rhizobium - Legume symbiosis.

RINAUDI, L.V. AND GIORDANO W.

Microbes for legume improvement

SPRINGER

Año: 2010; p. 325 - 335

Biofilms are surface-attached communities of bacteria contained within a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix. They are composed of a single species or, more commonly, several species of bacteria. This multicellular mode of growth constitutes a protective mechanism against adverse environmental conditions, and promotes survival. Biofilms can be established on both abiotic and biotic surfaces, typically under stressful conditions. Bacteria that colonize plant surfaces can have either negative (pathogenic) or positive (symbiotic) effects, and are therefore important in agriculture. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge of soil bacterial biofilms, various bacterial functions that influence biofilm formation, and the contributions or effects of exopolysaccharides, quorum sensing, rhizobial proteins, and motility on this process.