Suggested Further Research
The arbuscles of many species of AMF have been shown to exhibit autofluorescence, absorbing at 455-490 nm and transmitting at 520-560 nm (Ames, 1982). If the researchers had access to this technology, the same roots used for AMF colonization assessment could also have been used to inoculate pot cultures for fungal species determination. Because no staining is needed, fungal spore viability is not compromised. After the AMF colonization percentage is determined, the roots are surface sterilized and planted with a similar host species in sterilized soil. Wet sieving and decanting the soil will yield only the spores of the species that colonized the original plant of interest (Dodd, personal communication). Fitting plants to soil through the determination of a suitable fungal partner could improve plant viability in stressful environments. Chosing the correct fungal partner for sropp plants could save time, money and environalso reduce the need well as decreasing the need for applied fertilizers.
References
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Ames, R., E. Ingham & C. Reid (1982) Ultraviolet induced autofluorescents of arbuscular mycorrhizal root infections: An alternative to clearing and staining methods for assay infections. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 28:485-488
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Dr.J.C.Dodd, Director, International Institute of Biotechnology MIRCEN,(& Dept. of Biosciences),
University of Kent. Canterbury, UK.