Structure of root nodules formed by Rhizobium on the non-legume Trema cannabina var. scabra

Abstract

The structure of the nodules formed by Rhizobium on the non-legume Trema cannabina var. scabra was studied using the light microscope. The overall features of the nodules showed greater resemblance to the non-legume rather than the legume nodule. Nodule squashes yielded bundles of “infection threads” and “bacteroids” with morphological differences from rhizobial cells grown on yeast-mannitol-glucose agar. Two types of cell infection occurred within the bacterial zone; plant cells were either, like legumes, filled with rhizobia released from the infection threads (less than one third of infected cells) or were filled with the extensive growth and development of the “infection thread”. The rate of nitrogen fixation in the Trema nodule was high. It seemed that host cells filled with threads were active in N fixation.