Regina B. Bledsoe

Rhizobia independently adapt to soil and legume host environments, but soil conditions influence the abundance of high-quality partners.

This study shows rhizobia adapt independently to soil and legume host environments, but soil conditions affect the abundance of high-quality nitrogen-fixing strains.

Mutations in legume genes that influence symbiosis create a complex selective landscape for rhizobial symbionts

This study investigates how host mutations affect rhizobial fitness by inoculating Medicago truncatula mutants with Sinorhizobium meliloti strains, revealing host-by-strain interactions and identifying key rhizobial genes involved in fitness responses.

The activity of soil microbial taxa in the rhizosphere predicts the success of root colonization

The paper uses BONCAT to study microbial activity in soil-to-root gradients, finding that rhizosphere activity predicts endosphere colonization success.