Tufted rosettes of long root hairs occur in axils of young lateral roots of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Analyses of serial sections of the axils of emerging lateral roots revealed multiple layers of root hair cells. The cells of the outer layer partially overlie the adjacent cells of the inner layer. When Bradyrhizobium cells with an integrated gusA gene were inoculated onto peanut roots and the roots subsequently stained with X-gluc, blue spots indicating the presence of colonies of Bradyrhizobium were observed in the axils of lateral roots. Blue spots were also observed in other areas on the root surface. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the primary wall of the base of root hair cells has a loose construction. Upon inoculation of Bradyrhizobium, bacteria entered only between root hair cells through the middle lamella. In other areas of the root surface other than axils of lateral roots, the cells had modified walls similar to those at the base of root hair cells. However, invasion by Bradyrhizobium of the cell wall was not observed.Key words: Arachis hypogaea, gusA-marked Bradyrhizobium, cell wall, invasion, root hair cell, root nodules.
Differential Auxin-Transporting Activities of PIN-FORMED Proteins in Arabidopsis Root Hair Cells