Structural, chemical, and permeability changes following wounding in onion roots

Abstract

Onion roots were wounded by scoring them with a needle 80 to 120 mm proximal to the root tip. Cells in the region of the wound were studied immediately after wounding and daily for the next 6 days. By the 2nd day, cortical cells near the wound had produced pit callose and deposited suberin in their walls and air spaces. The amount of suberin deposited increased until 4 days after wounding. No suberin lamellae were observed in cortical cell walls, but histochemical tests and acid digestion confirmed the presence of suberin within the existing wall. Intercellular air spaces adjacent to the wound were totally occluded with an electron-dense material which had characteristics of suberin. Penetration studies using Calcofluor white M2R, a fluorescent apoplastic dye, showed that the wound was completely sealed 4 days after wounding. Thus, in response to wounding, nonlamellar suberin was deposited in the cortical cell walls and air spaces surrounding the wound and was continuous with the suberin present in the normal hypodermis, forming a complete apoplastic barrier.