Light and electron microscopy of Vinca plants infected with mycoplasma-like bodies of the sandal spike disease

Abstract

Detection of phloem cells containing mycoplasma-like bodies associated with the sandal spike disease was made easier by observing sections from stems of infectedVinca rosea plants by means of fluorescence microscopy. The aniline blue-stained cells that contained mycoplasma-like bodies fluoresced yellow in ultraviolet light (366 nm). The presence of mycoplasma-like bodies was confirmed by examination of ultrathin sections obtained from the same stems in the electron microscope.