CHANGES IN THE LEAVES OF FINGER MILLET DUE TO VA MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION

Abstract

Anatomical and histochemical differences in the leaves of non‐mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal Eleusine coracana Gaertn. (finger millet) were studied. Striking increases in the thickness of leaves, size of midrib vein, major vein, minor vein, last vein, motor cells, mesophyll cells and number of plastids were noticed in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants. The leaves of mycorrhizal plants contained higher amounts of insoluble polysaccharides and insoluble proteins. These features are discussed from the view point of the effect of endomycorrhizas on the stimulation of plant growth. Copyright © 1981, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved