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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Imaging for the Investigation of Metabolites in Medicago truncatula Root Nodules
Published on: March 5, 2014
OXYGEN CONCENTRATION WITHIN THE NITROGEN-FIXING ROOT NODULES OF MYRICA GALE L
1Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, Massachusetts, 01366.
Abstract:
Microelectrodes were used to study the oxygen concentration within Myrica gale L. nodules. Low oxygen concentrations were found only in the region of the mature, nitrogen-fixing endophyte, and appeared to correspond to clusters of infected host cells. The oxygen concentration in the remainder of the nodule was much higher. Interconnected intercellular air spaces were demonstrated by infiltration with India ink. Infiltration of the spaces with water greatly reduced oxygen concentration throughout the nodule, indicating that they function in supplying oxygen to the infected cells and remainder of the nodule. These results differ from those found previously for soybean nodules and provide evidence that legume and actinorhizal nodules have different mechanisms for protecting nitrogenase from oxygen.
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