Nodule-Like Structures Induced on the Roots of Wheat Seedlings by the Addition of the Synthetic Auxin 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and the Effects of Microorganisms

The addition of the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at a concentration range of between 5 × 10-5 M and 1 × 10-6M caused nodule-like outgrowths on wheat seedling roots. Concentrations of 2,4-D greater than this range caused stunting and death, while concentrations less than 1 × 10-7 M had no obvious effect on plant growth. At the lower end of the concentration range, 2,4-D had a small inhibiting effect on seedling growth. Time-course studies on the development of the nodule-like outgrowths showed that they developed at the same rate as control lateral roots; there was regionality within the structure, and at least three cell types were present: a cell division zone, amyloplast-containing cells, and highly vacuolated cells. There was no organised vascular system similar to Rhizobium/legume symbiotic nodules, although vascular tissue was found to enter the nodule-like outgrowths. Different strains of Rhizobium, Azospirillurn, Agrobacterium and Escherichia coli were added separately with 2,4-D to the seedling roots, showing different effects on seedling health and on the growth and internal structure of the nodule-like outgrowths. Generally, bacteria caused a less-organised internal structure to the growths and earlier 'senescence'. Some bacteria also caused stunting and death of seedlings at concentrations of 2,4-D that would have no such effect alone. We conclude that these induced nodule-like outgrowths are modified lateral roots with carbon reserves (as starch in amyloplasts) similar to those found in the cortex of roots, and that microorganisms are able to modulate or interfere with the development of these outgrowths.