A cellular automata-based model of rhizosphere colonization by mutualistic bacteria accounts for the role of quorum sensing on successful concentration near plant roots

This study employs a cellular automata (CA) model to investigate the colonization process of Paraburkholderia phytofirmans (PsJN) in the rhizosphere, a complex ecological environment critical to plant–microbe interactions. The proposed CA model simulates bacterial population dynamics, comparing the behavior of the wild-type strain (PsJN WT) with a mutant strain (PsJN-BpI.1) that exhibits impaired quorum sensing (QS), affecting its motility and communication. The model uses a grid where each cell can either be empty or occupied by bacteria. The spread of bacterial colonies is influenced by the state of neighboring cells, with a circular neighborhood used to simulate colony formation. The transition function incorporates both bacterial motility and population control, two critical factors in rhizospheric colonization. Simulation results show that the wild-type strain demonstrates a higher concentration of colonies near the roots, while the mutant strain exhibits reduced growth in these regions. Comparing the simulations with real rhizosphere colonization images confirms the model’s accuracy and highlights the importance of carefully selecting parameters for reliable outcomes. This CA model successfully captures the colonization behavior of PsJN strains in the rhizosphere, providing valuable insights into bacterial ecology and plant–microbe interactions.