Nodulation (Nod) factors are signaling molecules by bacteria known as rhizobia during the initiatio: nodules on the root of legumes. » In response to flavonoids secreted by legume hairs. / » Nod factors are secreted by rhizobia duri' tightly regulated signalling pathway which in the formation of root nodules in legumino| plants, resulting in the rhizobia becomingNODULATION PROCESS 1 The leguminous plant releases flavonoids into surrounding the plant roots, known as the rh when the available nitrogen in the soil is deplete Rhizobia in the surrounding soil secrete Nod D, a protein that recognizes the flavonoids secreted b plants. Interaction with the flavonoids activates Nod D, th NodD returns to the rhizobium to induce the transcription of nod ABC genes.Nod ABC proteins modify the Nod factor in respo the flavonoids released by the plant. The Nod factors interact with the plant and cause ro! hair curling and root hair deformation. This leads to formation of an infection thread into the root hair. Nod factors cause cortical cell division in the primordium of the plant and form a nodule. The rhizobia move through the plant root hair via infection thread to the nodule within the plantKhizobia switch into bacteroid form and are surrol bya plant-derived symbiosome membrane. Rhizobia begin nitrogen fixation and provide the le; with amino acids, such as glutamine and asparagine, or ur such as allantoin and allantoic acid, which are made i nodule. The legume provides simple sugars produced from plaw catabolism to the rhizobia in the nodule." _~ Free-living rhizospheric and ~*~" endophytic bacteria (PGPB) Tt Rhizobia = = ++ 1. Plant roots release flavonoids as @, chemical signals to attract Rhizobia Tiree 2. Rhizobia secrete Nod factors rete 3. Infection thread is formed. Other PGPB may induce nodulation process 4. The infection thread grows into the cortex of the roots and releases Rhizobia ~ 5, Root cells divide to form the nodule while Rhizobia become bacteroids. PGPB also colonize the root noduleInfection thread containing bacteria Inner cortex and Mature nodule pericycle cells under division Bacteria Figure 12.4 Development of root nodules in soyabean : (a) Rhizobium bacteria contact a susceptible root hair, divide near it, (b) Successfull infection of the root hair causes it to curl, (c) Infected thread carries the bacteria to the Inner cortex. The bacteria get modified into rod-shaped bacterolds and cause inner cortical and pericycle cells to divide. Division and growth of cortical and perieycle cells lead to nodule formation, (d) A mature nodule is complete with vascular tissues continuous with those of the rootFUNCTION OF NODE FACTOR » Nod factors are the important signaling molecules in the symbiotic interaction between rhizobia and leguminous plants. » When they bind to the root hairs of the leguminous plants, they cause root hair deformations, activation of plant genes, initiation of cortical cell division and nodule formation. » Each of these processes are necessary for the proper formation of root nodules, which enable the symbiotic interaction between rhizobia and leguminous plants.