Summary
Two methods have been developed in order to discriminate between lateral roots, nodules and root-derived structures which exhibit both root and nodule histological features and which can develop on legumes inoculated with certainRhizobium mutants. The first method, known as the “clearing method”, allows the observation by light microscopy of cleared undissected root-structures. The second, known as the “slicing method”, is a complementary technique which provides a greater degree of structural information concerning such structures. The two methods have proved invaluable in defining unequivocally the nature of the interaction between a rhizobial strain and a legume host.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Debellé F, Rosenberg C, Vasse J, Maillet F, Martinez E, Dénarié J, Truchet G (1986) Assignement of symbiotic developmental phenotypes to common and specific nodulation (nod) genetic loci ofRhizobium meliloti. J Bacteriol 168: 1075–1086
Dudley ME, Jacobs TW, Long SR (1987) Microscopic studies of cell divisions induced in alfalfa byRhizobium meliloti. Planta 171: 289–301
Fåhraeus G (1957) The infection of clover root hairs by nodule bacteria studied by a simple glass slide technique. J Gen Microbiol 16: 374–381
Frazer HL (1942) The occurence of endodermis in leguminous root nodules and its effect upon nodule function. Proc R Soc Edinburgh [Biol] 61: 328–342
Hirsch AM, Bang M, Ausubel FM (1983) Ultrastructural analysis of ineffective alfalfa nodules formed by nif::Tn 5 mutants ofRhizobium meliloti. J Bacteriol 155: 367–380
—, Wilson KJ, Jones JDG, Bang M, Walker VV, Ausubel FM (1984)Rhizobium meliloti nodulation genes allowAgrobacterium tumefaciens andEscherichia coli to form pseudonodules on alfalfa. J Bacteriol 158: 1133–1143
Niehaus K, Pühler A (1988) Light microscopy analysis of entire alfalfa (Medicago sativa) nodules by a fast staining and clearing method. Endocyt Cell Res 5: 59–68
Phillips JM, Hayman DS (1970) Improved procedures for clearing roots and staining parasitic and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for rapid assessment of infection. Trans Br Mycol Soc 55: 158–161
Rosenberg C, Boistard P, Dénarié J, Casse-Delbart F (1981) Genes controlling early and late functions in symbiosis are located on a megaplasmid inRhizobium meliloti. Mol Gen Genet 184: 326–333
Sprent JI (1980) Root nodule anatomy, type of export product and evolutionary origin in some leguminosae. Plant Cell Environ 3: 35–43
Truchet G, Michel M, Dénarié J (1980) Sequential analysis of the organogenesis of lucerne (Medicago sativa) root nodules using symbiotically-defective mutants ofRhizobium meliloti. Differentiation 16: 163–172
—, Debellé F, Vasse J, Terzaghi B, Garnerone AM, Rosenberg C, Batut J, Maillet F, Dénarié J (1985) Identification of aRhizobium meliloti pSym 2011 region controlling the host specificity of root hair curling and nodulation. J Bacteriol 164: 1200–1210
Vasse JM, Truchet GL (1984) TheRhizobium-legume symbiosis: observation of root infection by bright-field microscopy after staining with methylene blue. Planta 161: 487–489
Wong CH, Pankhurst CE, Kondorosi A, Broughton WJ (1983) Morphology of root nodules and nodule-like structures formed byRhizobium andAgrobacterium strains containing aRhizobium meliloti megaplasmid. J Cell Biol 97: 787–794
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Truchet, G., Camut, S., de Billy, F. et al. TheRhizobium-legume symbiosis Two methods to discriminate between nodules and other root-derived structures. Protoplasma 149, 82–88 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322980
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322980