Use of fluorochromes for direct observation of microorganisms associated with wheat roots

Abstract

The use of several fluorochromes and staining methods was tried out for observation of microorganisms on the surface of wheat roots sampled from soil. Good contrast between fluorescence of microorganisms and fluorescence of root and soil structures was obtained after successive staining of roots with coriphosphine (1:2000, 15 min), congo red (1:10000, 10 min), and acridine-orange (1:10000, 2 min).