ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Ammonium excretion
;
Azospirillum brasilense
;
Auxine
;
2,4-Dichlor-phenoxy-acetic acid
;
Nitrogen fixation
;
Paranodulation
;
Maize
;
Zea mays
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Maize seedlings develop nodule-like tumour knots (para-nodules) along primary roots when treated with the auxin 2,4-dichlor-phenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D). Inoculated NH 4 + -excreting Azospirillum brasilense cells were shown to colonize these tumours, mostly intracellularly, promoting a high level of N2 fixation when microaerophilic conditions were imposed. The nitrogenase activity inside the para-nodules was less sensitive to free O2 than in non-para-nodulating roots. Both light and electron microscopy showed a dense bacterial population inside intact tumour cells, with the major part of the cell infection along a central tumour tissue. The bacteria colonized the cytoplasm with a close attachment to inner cell membranes. In an auxin-free growth medium, young 2,4-D-induced para-nodules grew further to become mature differentiated root organs in which introduced bacteria survived with a stable population. These results provide evidence that gramineous plants are potentially able to create a symbiosis with diazotrophic bacteria in which the NH 4 + -excreting symbiont will colonize para-nodule tissue intracellularly, thus becoming well protected.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00418663
