CROP PLANTS AND PLANT IN NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS CAN BE INFECTED BY PATHOGENIC BACTERIA THAT KILL THE PLANT, REDUCE THE PLANT'S GROWTH, AND/OR REDUCE THE MARKETABLE YIELD. MANY OF THESE BACTERIA EXIT THE PLANT AND CONTAMINATE GROUND WATER THAT CAN BE USED FOR IRRIGATION OF CROPS. LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT HOW BACTERIA SURVIVE STARVATION CONDITIONS IN WATER, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THESE MECHANISMS COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED METHODS TO LIMIT PATHOGEN ABUNDANCE IN WATER. OUR WORK WILL IDENTIFY GENES AND TRAITS THAT ENABLE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS TO SURVIVE AND EVOLVE IN WATER..