To stian and observe the VAM in roots of crop plants.

PRINCIPLE :

VAM make symbiotic association with the roots of no. of angiospermic plants. They produce resting structures called vesicles and arbuscles in the cortical tissue. VAM fungi enhance the phosphorous absorption and provide drought and diseasse resistance to the plants.

REQUIREMENTS:

Fresh root, 10 % KOH, 0.8% tryphan blue, Glycerol and water (1:8) ratio. Test tubes, watch glass cover slips, etc.

PROCEDURE :

Roots of Graminaceae plants were collected and washed under tap water to remove adhering soil particles.

Young fine roots are collected and cut into pieces of about 3 cm and made into small bundles..

The bundles of roots were placed in a test tube containing 10 % KOH and kept in autoclave.

The KOH solution was handled carefully and 0.8% tryphan blue was poured into the testtube containing roots and allowed to stand for 15min.

The dye was applied and the stained roots were mounted on a slide in glycerol solution to avoid drying and observed under microscope.