A correlated light and electron microscopic study of symbiotic growth and differentiation in Pisum sativum root nodules

Abstract

Plants of the garden pea Pisum sativum cv. Little Marvel were grown in aeroponic culture to facilitate observations and microscopy and were inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum, and nodules were sampled at five weekly intervals for light and electron microscopy. The invasion of the cortical cells by the infection thread, the structure of the infection thread, and the release of bacteria from it into the host cytoplasm and the subsequent symbiotic growth and differentiation of the two organisms are described in detail. The fine structure of the nodule is correlated with light microscopic observations and morphogenesis. A restriction in the use of the term 'vesicle' is proposed because of the current multiple and confusing usage of the term. The loss of the nodule meristem and its morphogenetic significance are discussed.