Summary
Electron micrographs have been prepared showing different stages in the development of the endophyte in Alnus glutinosa root nodules. Although the complete life cycle of the organism has not yet been worked out it is concluded that it is an Actinomycete. The organism can exist as a septate, branching filament of diameter 0.7–1.0 μ. However, under certain conditions within the nodule, the endophyte can form spherical sub-divided vesicles 4–5 μ in diameter and it is suggested that these vesicles are analogous to sporangia. Yet again under other conditions the organism fragments to form bacteroids. It would appear that the different forms of the organism are associated with different seasons of the year and with different metabolic patterns, of particular interest in this connection is the fixation of nitrogen which is associated with the nodule symbiosis.
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Gardner, I.C. Observations on the fine structure of the endophyte of the root nodules of alnus glutinosa (L.) gaertn.. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 51, 365–383 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408918
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408918