Autofluorescence of vesicles, arbuscules, and intercellular hyphae of a vesicular–arbuscular fungus in leek (<i>Allium porrum</i>) roots

Abstract

Vesicles, arbuscules, and hyphae of a species of Glomus in Allium porrum mycorrhizae autofluoresccd under four different ranges of wavelengths. Autofluorescence persisted when transverse sections were cleared in either 10% KOH or 1% NaOH and was intensified by staining the sections with Chelidonium majus L. root extract. The fluorescing component in the walls of the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal structures was tentatively identified by spectrofluorometry as chitin.