Colonization of wheat para-nodules by the N2-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B Article

Gantar, M, Elhai, J. (1999). Colonization of wheat para-nodules by the N2-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B . New Phytologist, 141(3), 373-379. 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00352.x

cited authors

  • Gantar, M; Elhai, J

abstract

  • The treatment of wheat roots with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) led to the formation of tumour-like structures, para-nodules, which were readily colonized by cyanobacteria. The amount of cyanobacteria found on 2,4-D treated roots was 3.6 times higher than that found on untreated roots. Cyanobacteria penetrated the para-nodules by migrating in between loosely arranged cells that covered their surfaces or by penetrating the space at the junction of root and para-nodule. In plants treated with 2,4-D and co-cultivated with cyanobacteria in medium without combined nitrogen, the rate of acetylene reduction was three times that seen in untreated but colonized roots. Addition of 2,4-D itself did not change the rate of acetylene reduction in free-living culture of Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B. In plants treated with 2,4-D and co-cultivated with Nostoc sp. strain 2S9B in medium without combined nitrogen the nitrogen content of roots but not shoots was significantly increased.

publication date

  • March 1, 1999

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 373

end page

  • 379

volume

  • 141

issue

  • 3