[Demonstration of a metabolic property of Rhibozium meliloti usable for its classification].

Fast-growing Rhizobium and Agrobacterium strans were studied for their behaviour towards two carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) according to the following criteria: acidification and soluble exopolysaccharide production by resting cells. R. meliloti and Agrobacterium spp. showed a similar behaviour: in glucose-containing medium, acidification occurred and few exopolysaccharides were produced, whereas in medium supplemented with fructose, a neutral pH was maintained and large amounts of exopolysaccharides were synthesized. Other fast-growing Rhizobium spp. did not acidify these media and produced variable amounts of exopolysacchrides.