THE 2,4-D-INDUCED WHEAT PARA-NODULES ARE MODIFIED LATERAL ROOTS WITH STRUCTURE ENHANCED BY RHIZOBIAL INOCULATION

Nodular outgrowths (para-nodules or p-nodules) on the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Miskle seedlings were induced by treatment with 0.3 and 0.6 mg L-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D). When co-inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii strain ATCC 14480, more p-nodules were formed at these levels and p-nodulation occured at 0.1 mg L-1 indicating that inoculation enhances 2,4-D-induced p-nodulation. Similar to lateral roots, the p-nodules arose from the pericycle opposite the phloem tissues and were free from the cortical cells of the parental root at all stages of development. Structurally, the p-nodules exhibited tissue differentiation. They possessed a highly organized central vascular cylinder connected to that of the parent root, an endodermis, a cap, and an apical and lateral meristems. P-nodules formed by 2,4-D treatment alone were irregularly lobed due to uncoordinated activity of the apical meristem, while those in the combined 2,4-D and inoculation treatment were more globose. The results of the present study indicate that the 2,4-D-induced wheat p-nodules are modified lateral roots, the structure of which is enhanced by rhizobial inoculation.