Autofluorescence approaches to observation of mycorrhizal colonization in five orchids
Journal
Advanced Science Letters
Journal Volume
13
Pages
400-405
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
We developed a fungal autofluorescence-based fluorescence microscopy to observe mycorrhizal colonization in the cortical cells of orchid roots. This substantially improves previous methods used to observe peletons and fungal coils in root cortical cells, and was applied successfully to 5 orchid species: Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata, Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian 'V3', Phaius sp., Calanthe sp., and Spiranthes sinensis. Aniline-blue staining occasionally produced unwanted background surplus and nonspecific staining. When used with freehand sections without any staining, this efficient observation procedure facilitates morphological studies involving fungus-orchid interactions. Thus, we conclude that autofluorescence can be used as a rapid screening method to observe mycorrhizal structures, without requiring other staining procedures. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Type
journal article