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Use of the Autofluorescence Properties of AM Fungi for AM Assessment and Handling

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Symbiotic Fungi

Part of the book series: Soil Biology ((SOILBIOL,volume 18))

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to describe the methods tested up to now which make use of the autofluorescence properties of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal structures for their assessment. This includes the use of epifluorescence microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy together with lambda-scan, as well as flow cytometry. A detailed description of the sample preparation for these techniques and their application in arbuscular mycorrhizal research is given. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed in relation to other methods used for visualising arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal structures, such as vital and non-vital staining. The autofluorescence detection method is probably the only method that permits arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of roots to be measured in vivo in a non-destructive manner. Optical spectroscopy for the characterization of the optical properties, and hence the chemical components of arbuscular mycorrhizas, is highlighted as a promising future research field.

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Acknowledgements

BD acknowledges receipt of a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. This work was further supported by the projects FEDER 1FP97-1746 and REN2003-08241. Authors are indebted to the palm tree producing company, Jardinería Huerto del Cura S.A. (Elche, Spain) for supplying the palms. They also thank Dr. F. Fernández for supplying G. clarum spores and Dr. M. Honrubia and Dr. C. Rudamas for their useful comments to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Biología, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100, Murcia, Spain

    A. Morte

  2. CENSALUD-CIC, Autopista Norte y Final 25 avenida Norte, Universidad de El Salvador, Ciudad Universitaria, San Salvador, El Salvador, Salvador

    B. Dreyer

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  1. B. Dreyer
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  2. A. Morte
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Correspondence to A. Morte .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Institute of Microbial Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201303, India

    Ajit Varma  & Amit C. Kharkwal  & 

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Dreyer, B., Morte, A. (2009). Use of the Autofluorescence Properties of AM Fungi for AM Assessment and Handling. In: Varma, A., Kharkwal, A.C. (eds) Symbiotic Fungi. Soil Biology, vol 18. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-95894-9_8

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