Association of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus with roots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings is promoted in vitro by UV light
Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a diazotrophic endophyte that is a potential biofertilizer. Little is known about the mechanisms of G. diazotrophicus interaction with its host plants. We tested the effect of UV light, as an inducer of secondary metabolite accumulation, on the association between common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedling roots and G. diazotrophicus. UV light irradiation of seedlings 4 h prior to bacterial inoculation increased the number of bacterial cells associated with the roots by 5.65-fold with respect to a nonirradiated control (p < 0.05). Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus associates with root hairs and root border cells. Aggregation of bacterial cells was observed in root structures from UV-induced seedlings. Secondary metabolite accumulation was also observed in roots from UV-irradiated seedlings.