Assessing Root Colonization of Tomato Seedlings by a Pathogenic Bacterium Using Viable Cell Counts

Source: Matthysse, A. G. Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory. J. Vis. Exp., (2018)This video demonstrates a protocol for measuring root colonization of tomato seedlings by wild-type and cellulose-deficient pathogenic bacteria. Viable counts of tightly adhering bacteria show greater adhesion and microcolony formation by the wild-type strain, highlighting cellulose’s role in stable root colonization.