Histochemical techniques to localize rubber in guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray)

There are few histochemical techniques for staining rubber in the cells of guayule. With regard to specificity, clarity and retention of the stain we found staining with oil red O or iodine-potassium iodide for bright field, and a combination of oil red O and dansyl chloride for epifluorescence microscopy to be the best methods. The plausible mechanisms of staining are discussed.