A study of fungal endophytes of needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada, using culture and electron microscope techniques

Endophytic fungi were isolated from the interiors of surface-sterilized needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada. Four different fungi were isolated frequently. One species, designated X-W, was isolated exlusively from the petiole segment of red spruce needles. There was no difference in the variety of species isolated from fir needles from two sites, but a difference in frequency of species did exist. Micrographs of the interior of balsam fir needles showed hyphae occupying intercellular spaces and adhering to the outer walls of parenchyma cells. No penetration of cells by either fungus was observed.

A Spot Test for Estimating Ureides in Soyabean Petioles

SUMMARYThe ureides allantoic acid and allantoin form a bright pink compound with acidic p-dimethylamino cinnamaldehyde. It is possible to estimate the ureide content of a soyabean petiole segment by crushing it on filter paper and developing the colour with this reagent. There is a strong correlation between the spot test and estimates from colorimetric determination of ureides. In field grown soyabeans, there was a positive correlation between the petiole ureide content during pod fill and the integrated seasonal acetylene reduction activity. The spot test can be used to identify plants with low nitrogen fixation activity.