Archiv für Mikrobiologie

, Volume 46, Issue 4, pp 382–401 | Cite as

Development of the bacteroid in the root nodule of barrel medic (Medicago tribuloides Desr.) and subterraneum clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

  • P. J. Dart
  • F. V. Mercer
Article
Received:

Summary

The development of the bacteriod is traced from thin sections of slices of nodules fixed in KMnO4 and OsO4. While in the infection thread the Rhizobium cell has the ultrastructure characteristic of gram-negative bacteria, with two unit membranes bounding a granular cytoplasm containing dense bodies, a nucleoid area and inclusion granules. A 10–12 fold increase in size, a loss of inclusion granules and the formation of a membrane envelope around each Rhizobium cell follows the dispersal of the rhizobia through the host cytoplasm. As the bacteriods develop there is a loss of fibrillar material from the nucleoid region and changes occur in the distribution of ribosome-like particles in both host and bacterial cells. When fully differentiated and presumably fixing nitrogen the bacteroids from the red zone of subterraneum clover nodules but not barrel medic have a well developed intra-cytoplasmic membrane system.

Keywords

Nodule Rhizobium KMnO4 OsO4 Dense Body 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Allen, O. N., and E. K. Allen: Response of the peanut plant to inoculation with rhizobia, with special reference to the morphological development of the nodules. Bot. Gaz. 102, 121–142 (1940).Google Scholar
  2. ——: Morphogenesis of the leguminous root nodule. In Abnormal and Pathological Plant Growth. Brookhaven Symposia in Biol. 6, 209–234 (1954).Google Scholar
  3. Almon, L.: Concerning the reproduction of bacteroids. Zbl. Bakt., II. Abt. 87, 289–297 (1932).Google Scholar
  4. Appleman, M. D., M. R. Barnes and O. H. Sears: Some morphological characteristics of nodule bacteria as shown by the electron microscope. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 7, 269–271 (1942).Google Scholar
  5. Baylor, M. B., M. D. Appleman, O. H. Sears and G. I. Clark: Some morphological characteristics of nodule bacteria as shown by the electron microscope 11. J. Bact. 50, 249–256 (1945).Google Scholar
  6. Beer, M.: Disposition of membranes in Alcaligenes faecalis. J. Bact. 80, 659–664 (1960).Google Scholar
  7. Bergersen, F. J.: The cytology of bacteroids from root nodules of subterraneum clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). J. gen. Microbiol. 13, 411–419 (1955).Google Scholar
  8. —: The bacterial component of soybean root nodules, changes in respiratory activity, cell dry weight and nucleic acid content with increasing nodule age. J. gen. Microbiol. 19, 312–323 (1958).Google Scholar
  9. Bergersen, F. J.: Personal communication of unpublished results (1963).Google Scholar
  10. —, and M. J. Briggs: Studies on the bacterial component of soybean root nodules: cytology and organisation in host tissue. J. gen. Microbiol. 19, 482–490 (1958).Google Scholar
  11. —, and P. S. Nutman: Symbiotic effectiveness in nodulated red clover. IV. The influence of the host factors ii and ie upon nodule structure and cytology. Heredity 11, 175–184 (1957).Google Scholar
  12. Bieberdorf, F. W.: The cytology and histology of the root nodules of some Leguminosae. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. 30, 375–389 (1938).Google Scholar
  13. Brenchley, W. W., and H. G. Thornton: The relation between the development, structure and functioning of the nodules of Vicia faba, as influenced by the presence or absence of boron in the nutrient medium. Proc. roy. Soc. B 98, 373 to 398 (1925).Google Scholar
  14. Brown, A. D., D. G. Drummond and R. J. North: The peripheral structures of gram-negative bacteria II. Membranes of bacilli and spheroplasts of a marine pseudomonad. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 58, 514–531 (1962).Google Scholar
  15. Bush, G. L., and G. B. Chapman: Electron microscopy of symbiotic bacteria in developing oocytes of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. J. Bact. 81, 267–276 (1961).Google Scholar
  16. Caulfield, J. B.: Effects of varying the vesicle for OsO4 in tissue fixation. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 827–830 (1957).Google Scholar
  17. Conn, H. J., and R. P. Elrod: Concerning flagellation and motility. J. Bact. 54, 681–687 (1947).Google Scholar
  18. Dart, P. J., and F. V. Mercer: Membrane envelopes of legume nodule bacteroids. J. Bact. 85, 951–952 (1963).Google Scholar
  19. —, and J. S. Pate: Nodulation studies in Legumes. III. The effects of delaying inoculation on the seedling symbiosis of barrel medic, Medicago tribuloides Desr. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 12, 427–444 (1959).Google Scholar
  20. Davson, H., and J. F. Danielli: The Permeability of Natural Membranes. Cambridge Univ. Press 1943.Google Scholar
  21. Forsyth, W. G. C., A. C. Hayward and J. B. Roberts: Occurrence of polyhydroxybutyric acid in aerobic gram-negative bacteria. Nature (Lond.) 182, 800–801 (1958).Google Scholar
  22. Fred, E. B., I. L. Baldwin and E. McCoy: The root nodule bacteria and leguminous plants. Univ. Wisconsin Studies in Sci. Madison Wisc. 1932.Google Scholar
  23. Glauert, A. M., and R. H. Glauert: Araldite as an embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 191 (1958).Google Scholar
  24. Heumann, W.: Über Wesen und Bedeutung der Bakteroide in den Wurzelknöllchen der Erbse. Naturwissenschaften 39, 66 (1952).Google Scholar
  25. Iterson, W. van, and C. F. Robinow: Observations with the electron microscope on the fine structure of the nuclei of two spherical bacteria. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 171–182 (1961).Google Scholar
  26. Jordan, D. C.: The bacteroids of the genus Rhizobium. Bact. Rev. 26, 119–141 (1962).Google Scholar
  27. Kellenberger, E., and A. Ryter: Cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 323–326 (1958).Google Scholar
  28. Kkeinschmidt, A., D. Lang, u. R. K. Zahn: Über die intrazelluläre Formation von Bakterien-DNS. Z. Naturforsch. 16b, 730–739 (1961).Google Scholar
  29. Ledbetter, M. C.: Observations on membranes in plant cells fixed with OsO4, 5th Int. Cong. for Electron Microscopy. Philadelphia. 2, W-10 (1962).Google Scholar
  30. McCoy, E.: Infection by Bact. radicicola in relation to the microchemistry of the host's cell walls. Proc. roy. Soc. 110, 514–533 (1932).Google Scholar
  31. McQuillen, K.: Bacterial protoplasts. In: The Bacteria, Vol. 1 (ed. I. C. Gunsalus and R. Y. Stanier) p. 249–359. New York, London: Academic Press 1960.Google Scholar
  32. Miller, N. G., and R. B. Wilson: In vivo and in vitro observations of Leptospira pomona by electron microscopy. J. Bact. 84, 564–576 (1962).Google Scholar
  33. Murray, R. G. E.: Fine structure and taxonomy of bacteria. Symp. Soc. gen. Microbiol. 12, 119–144 (1962).Google Scholar
  34. Palacios-de Borao, G.: Las bacterias simbioticas del nitrogeno bajo el microscopio electronico. Microbiol. españ. 2, 51–56 (1949).Google Scholar
  35. Palade, G. E.: A study of fixation for electron microscopy. J. exp. Med. 95, 285–298 (1952).Google Scholar
  36. Pangborn, J., A. G. Marr and S. A. Robrish: Localisation of respiratory enzymes in intracytoplasmic membranes of Azotobacter agilis. J. Bact. 84, 669–678 (1962).Google Scholar
  37. Peachey, L. D.: A device for staining tissue sections for electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 5, 511–513 (1959).Google Scholar
  38. Raggio, M., and N. Raggio: Root nodules. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 12, 109–128 (1962).Google Scholar
  39. Robertson, J. D.: The molecular structure and contact relationships of cell membranes. Progr. Biophys. Chem. 10, 343–418 (1960).Google Scholar
  40. Roth, L. M., and E. R. Willis: Biotic Association of Cockroaches. Smithsonian Inst. Publs. Misc. Collections. 141, 470 (1960).Google Scholar
  41. Ryter, A., u. E. Kellenberger: Etude au microscope électronique de plasmas contenant de l'acide désoxyribonucléique. Z. Naturforsch. 13b, 597–605 (1958).Google Scholar
  42. Scanga, F.: Atlante di Microscopia Electronica. II pensiero Scientifico, Roma, p. 147 (1959).Google Scholar
  43. Schlegel, H. G.: Die Isolierung von Poly-β-hydroxybuttersäure aus Wurzelknöllchen von Leguminosen. Flora (Jena) 152, 236–240 (1962).Google Scholar
  44. — and R. von Bartha: Formation and utilisation of poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid by Knallgas-bacteria (Hydrogenomonas). Nature (Lond.) 191, 463–465 (1961).Google Scholar
  45. Thornton, H. G.: The early development of the root nodule of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Ann. Bot. 44, 385–392 (1930).Google Scholar
  46. Vincent, J. M., B. Humphries and R. J. North: Some features of the fine structure and chemical composition of Rhizobium trifolii. J. gen. Microbiol. 29, 551 to 555 (1962).Google Scholar
  47. Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals II. Application of solution containing lead and barium. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 727–730 (1958).Google Scholar
  48. Weidel, W., H. Frank and H. H. Martin: The rigid layer of the cell wall of Escherichia coli strain B. J. gen. Microbiol. 22, 158–166 (1960).Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1963

Authors and Affiliations

  • P. J. Dart
    • 1
    • 2
  • F. V. Mercer
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Plant Physiology Unit, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
  2. 2.Division of Food PreservationC.S.I.R.O.RydeAustralia

Personalised recommendations