Comparison of protein profiles and enzymes in non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal roots of Pennisetum pedicellatum.

Pennisetum pedicellatum plants were inoculated with Glomus mosseae, G. aggregatum and Gigaspora margarita. There were both quantitative and qualitative changes in the protein pattern of inoculated plants. Gi. margarita induced increase in protein in the plants. Acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and chitinase activities were high at the beginning of infection, but declined as the infection advanced. Gi. margarita was an efficient fungus in enhancing enzyme activity and proteins in roots compared with G. mosseae and G. aggregatum. Protein profile revealed the presence of 12 peaks in mycorrhizal plants compared with 8 in nonmycorrhizal plants.

X-ray microanalysis of elements of VA mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Pennisetum pedicellatum roots.

Chemical composition of inter and intracellular hyphae was elucidated in Pennisetum pedicellatum roots colonized by Gigaspora margarita by employing energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Maximum amount of phosphate was estimated in polyphosphate granules present in the roots. Amount of phosphate was low in fungal hyphae, arbuscular trunks and degenerated arbuscules. Elements S, K and Ca were present in the hyphae, arbuscular trunk and degenerated arbuscules.