Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2018, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (5): 661-670.DOI: 10.11983/CBB17141

• TECHNIQUES AND METHODS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

An Observation Method of Nodule and Root Morphology without Damage in Real-time

Zeng Yinwei, Cao Yuman, Sha Xuyang, Li Shuxia, Yang Peizhi, Hu Tianming, Liu Jinlong*()   

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
  • Received:2017-07-30 Accepted:2017-12-05 Online:2018-09-01 Published:2018-11-29
  • Contact: Liu Jinlong
  • About author:

    † These authors contributed equally to this paper

Abstract: Observation of root and nodule morphology in real-time has great significance in the study of Leguminosae. However, we lack a legume plant culture system that is convenient for observing root morphology and with efficient Rhizobium inoculation and also suitable for plant growth and economical. In this work, we compared the efficacy of a paper-based Ziplock bag hydroponics method with other commonly used methods for real-time observation of nodules and root morphology of Medicago truncatula. Methods relied on quartz sand and other solid medium cultivation. M. truncatula had obstacles to observe the nodule characteristics and root morphology in real-time. Rhizobium inoculation was also inefficient with hydroponics and aeroponics, and the methods were not suitable for observing lateral root development. Moreover, we also studied the effects of melatonin on the development of root morphology of M. truncatula with the paper-based Ziplock bag hydroponics method. Although melatonin reduced the number of nodules and inhibited the lateral root elongation, the number of lateral roots and the angle of the lateral root with the main root increased. The paper-based Ziplock bag hydroponics method is a simple and effective culture method for leguminous plants, with efficient Rhizobium inoculation, which allows for observing root nodules and root morphology in real-time with non-damaged roots.

Key words: hydroponics, Medicago truncatula, melatonin, root morphology, root nodule