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A simple staining method for observation of germinated Striga seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2008

Shusheng Long ,
Venasius Lendzemo ,
Thomas W. Kuyper ,
Zhengsheng Kang ,
Horst Vierheilig  and
Siegrid Steinkellner
Shusheng Long
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordan-Strasse 82, Vienna A-1190, Austria College of Plant Protection and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
Venasius Lendzemo
Affiliation:
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Maroua, Cameroon
Thomas W. Kuyper
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen NL-6708 PB, The Netherlands
Zhengsheng Kang
Affiliation:
College of Plant Protection and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
Horst Vierheilig
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordan-Strasse 82, Vienna A-1190, Austria Departamento de Microbiología, Estación Experimental de Zaidín, CSIC, Granada E-18008, Spain
Siegrid Steinkellner*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordan-Strasse 82, Vienna A-1190, Austria
*
*Correspondence [email protected]
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Abstract

In vitro techniques are essential for Striga research and the development of appropriate control methods. In the laboratory, pre-screening of non-host or false-host plants of Striga for trap cropping or the screening of hosts for resistance involves visual evaluation of Striga seed germination that may be stimulated by plant parts or root exudates. This technique is presently laborious because the small Striga radicles are colourless. A number of solutions were evaluated to visualize the radicles of Striga hermonthica to obtain a reliable, simple and fast staining method yielding good contrast for visual observation, with readily available, inexpensive and minimally toxic dyes and staining solutions. The inks Brilliant Blue (Pelikan), Blue (Geha) and Brilliant Green (Pelikan), in either vinegar or lactic acid, produced radicles with excellent contrast, whereas radicles stained with Brilliant Red (Pelikan), Black (Sheaffer), Brilliant Black (Pelikan) gave good contrast. Striga radicles stained with Aniline Blue in vinegar or lactic acid, or Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250 in lactic acid, showed excellent contrast. Radicles stained with Ink Black (Sheaffer), Cotton Brown, or Rubin S in either vinegar or lactic acid also showed good contrast. With water as the diluent, only Lactophenol Blue showed excellent contrast. For health, safety and environmental concerns, availability and staining time, Blue ink in household vinegar (5% acetic acid) appears to be an excellent dye for Striga radicles and could be used in routine Striga germination assays.

Keywords

germination assayradiclestaining solutionsStriga
Type
Short Communication
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 125 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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