Chemotaxis in Plant-Associated Bacteria: the Search for the Ecological Niche

Abstract

Chemotaxis is the movement of organisms towards or away from chemicals. Plant-associated bateria respond chemotactically to certain compounds released by plants. The chemotactic response provides bacteria with a competitive advantage and allows them to occupy specific ecological niches. In this brief review, we bring together data on various aspects of chemotaxis in some plant-associated bacteria, with special attention to their ecology.