Exopolysaccharide Characterization of LPU83 and Its Role in the Symbiosis With Alfalfa.

One of the greatest inputs of available nitrogen into the biosphere occurs through the biological N-fixation to ammonium as result of the symbiosis between rhizobia and leguminous plants. These interactions allow increased crop yields on nitrogen-poor soils. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are key components for the establishment of an effective symbiosis between alfalfa and , as bacteria that lack EPS are unable to infect the host plants.