Premium
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE NITROGEN‐FIXING ACTINORHIZA OF MYRICA PENSYLVANICA L. (BAYBERRY) *
Author(s) -
BENSON D. R.,
GREENHUT V. A.,
EVELEIGH D. E.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1979.tb02306.x
Subject(s) - hypha , frankia , actinorhizal plant , botany , biology , cryofixation , endophyte , root nodule , myrica rubra , vesicle , chemistry , ultrastructure , symbiosis , biochemistry , bacteria , membrane , genetics
S ummary The nitrogen‐fixing root nodules of Myrica pensylvanica L. (bayberry) were shown to be inhabited by a filamentous micro‐organism typical of non‐leguminous root nodules (actinorhizal nodules) by scanning electron microscopy (s.e.m.). The micro‐organism was hyphal in young nodule areas and host cell infection was accomplished by cell wall penetration with subsequent proliferation of the micro‐organism. The penetration was often massive with hyphal entries recorded less than 1 μm apart. The smooth transition between host cell wall and endophyte hypha indicated some homology between their surfaces. The second stage of development of the endophyte was vesicular; club‐shaped vesicles arose as extensions of hyphal tips. The vesicles resembled similar structures from other non‐leguminous nitrogen‐fixing plants. X‐ray microanalysis of the nodules revealed the presence of crystalline deposits containing substantial calcium content packed within randomly distributed cortical cells. The crystals were typical of calcium oxalate, a common constituent in plant tissue.