ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF THE ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM IN INFECTED-CELLS OF PEA AND SOYBEAN ROOT-NODULES

In both pea and soybean root nodules, visible changes in the endomembrane system of the host cells occur in the infection stage after rhizobial endocytosis. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) extension and dilatation is conspicuous, together with the formation of vesicles and vacuoles of ER- and Golgi-origin and presumably autolytic activity. It is suggested that during and after endocytosis the cells of Rhizobium come into contact with cell wall- and cytoplasmic debris, and ER- and Golgi-derived substances. The character of the phenomena observed after host cell infection in nodules of both species is virtually the same. © 1979.