Why are some nodules round and others elongated
or even lobed?
Nodule shape is a trait
that is determined by the host plant, and the same bacteria will
produce different shaped nodules according to the host plant onto
which it is inoculated. Thus, soybean, bean and cowpea nodules are
round in shape, while nodules of clovers and medics are much more
elongated. Nodule shape is basically determined by the presence
of meristematic tissue that has not been infected with rhizobia
and continues to grow for some time after initial release of the
rhizobia into cells of the host.
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Round nodule structure
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Indeterminate nodule structure
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