Endophytic hyphal compartmentalization is required for successful mycobiont-wheat interaction as revealed by confocal laser microscopy
Date
2009-02-25
Authors
Vujanovic, V.
Abdellatif, L.
Kaminskyj, S.
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Poster Presentation
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Abstract
Root endophytic fungi are seen as promising alternatives to replace chemical fertilizers and
pesticides in sustainable and organic agriculture systems. Fungal endophytes structure
formations play key roles in symbiotic intracellular association with plant-roots. To compare
the morphologies of Ascomycete endophytic fungi in wheat, we analyzed growth
morphologies during endophytic development of hyphae within the cortex of living vs dead
root cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to characterize fungal cell
morphology within lactofuchsin-stained roots. Cell form regularity Ireg and cell growth
direction Idir, indexes were used to quantify changes in fungal morphology. Endophyte fungi
in living roots had a variable Ireg and Idir values, low colonization abundance and patchy
colonization patterns, whereas the same endophyte species in dead (γ-irradiated) roots had
consistent form of cells and mostly grew parallel to the root axis. Knot, coil and vesicle
structures dominated in living roots, as putative symbiotic functional organs. Finally, an
increased hypha septation in living roots might indicate local specialization within
endophytic Ascomycota. Our results suggested that the applied method could be expanded to
other septate fungal symbionts.
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Keywords
Triticum turgidum, root, fungal endophytes, cell compartmentalization, symbiosis, cell morphology
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Soils and Crops Workshop