I m going to set up an experiment of inoculation of AMF on maize plant. I will grow maize plant in a pot in the greenhouse experiment then I shall inoculate AMF spores into the pot. When plant is 65 days old I harvested the experiment. Now I would like to know how to keep root maize for the next crop because I want to use root sample to reinoculate to the next experiment as propagate? Thank you very much.
you can use that root samples in next experiment. But you should count the spores before applying to the next experiment
Dear Xuan Do
At the first place you need to check the presence of AM colonization in that roots, like in the paper: Application of mycorrhizal roots improves growth of tropical tree seedlings in the nursery: a step towards reforestation with native species in the Andes of Ecuador New Forests (2009) 38:229–239. DOI 10.1007/s11056-009-9143-x.
Then, I think that you can conserve the roots in disinfected Ringer solution at 4 oC in a freezer, for example. But you need to check periodically the appearance and integrity of that roots in order to prevent the presence of another microbial contaminant. I think that is a temporal solution for some days or may be few weeks.
Dear Prof. Gomez!
Thank you very much for sharing information and answering my question. I have totally 5 kg of fresh roots of maize so I do not have space to keep samples in a freezer. Do you have any suggestion? I read a paper which I forgot the authors and Publication year. They suggested to air dry root samples (30oC) and keep them at room temperature until we used however they did not mention about contamination due to sample storage. I am worry about this?
Best regards,
Xuan Do
Dear Xuan
In effect, dry roots can be used like inoculum. But in that case, the only effective mycorrhizal propagules are the spores or vesicles next to be converted in spores inside the roots. The external mycelium associated to the roots and the internal mycelium is going to died in such conditions, in some hours or a few days. In consequence, the potential of that roots like inoculum is going to be more weak. You need to make some proves before to start an important experiment, I think. About the contamination, with the roots dried, it could be fewer than with them moistened, I estimate. Thanks a lot for your opinion about my recommendation, greetings from Eduardo
Dear Xuan,
The root powder along with some specific nutrients can be utilized as a formulation for next cropping..
Regarding storage of roots, you have to place the same in sterilized bags and can store the same for 4 degree Celsius till use..