Relation between ectodesmata and infection of tomato roots by 14C-labeled tobacco mosaic virus.
The occurrence of ectodesmata in roots of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cultivar 'Potentaat' could be demonstrated after suitable fixation and staining. Roots of tomato plants grown in soil or in liquid medium and excised roots cultivated in vitro were fixed and stained after inoculation with 14C-labeled TMV and covered with photographic emulsion Ilford L-4. After development, the location of beta tracks was determined under a light microscope. Accumulations of radioactive virus material were often found in the neighborhood of ectodesmata at the root tip and in root hairs. A relation was found between the presence of ectodesmata and the susceptibility of roots to virus infection.
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Phytopathological Laboratory "Willie Commelin Scholten," Baarn, The Netherlands.