Histological Analysis of Striga Infected Plants
摘要
Post-attachment resistance can be verified by observing the infection and growth rates of Striga attached to host roots. These protocols explain how to infect Striga hermonthica on host roots using rhizotron chambers, a semi-in vitro system that allows one to observe Striga infection without disturbing the host's roots. Sectioning parasitic attachments and subsequent histological methods are also described, which allow closer investigations of the extent to which the Striga haustoria penetrate host tissues. Such observations can reveal whether any mechanical resistance exists in the host. These histological methods help further characterize resistance mechanisms in rice or sorghum.