Summary
Pleomorphism in azospirilla appears to be induced by medium composition rather than pH. Complex organic media stimulate it and it is more pronounced in Azospirillum lipoferum than in A. brasilense. Besides ‘capsules’, protoplasmic globular structures (free protoplasts) sometimes may be produced. Under certain conditions the smaller cells appear to have a flexible cell wall, whereas the helical, spiril-like cells are rigid and show a cork-screw type of motility in straight lines — often reversing direction — as demonstrated in a motion picture. Cell volume and growth rate seem to be correlated, the larger the pleomorphic cells the longer the generation time. Differences in cell morphology suggest that some strains now denoted as Azospirillum might show relationships to other groups. The taxonomic position of azospirilla in context to other taxa is discussed.
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Becking, J.H. (1985). Pleomorphism in Azospirillum. In: Klingmüller, W. (eds) Azospirillum III. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70791-9_23
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