Rhizobia are attracted to localized sites on legume roots

Clouds of Rhizobium meliloti were attracted to localized sites on the surface of the infectible region of alfalfa roots. This behavior, which required active motility and chemotaxis, was not species specific. Correlation between the behavior of various mutants and their competitiveness for nodulation suggests that cloud formation has a role in the infection of host legume roots by rhizobia.