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. 1998 Dec;64(12):5004-7.
doi: 10.1128/AEM.64.12.5004-5007.1998.

Ink and vinegar, a simple staining technique for arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi

H Vierheilig  1 , AP Coughlan, U Wyss, Y Piche
Affiliations

Ink and vinegar, a simple staining technique for arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi

H Vierheilig et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1998 Dec.

Abstract

We developed a reliable, inexpensive, and simple method for staining arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungal colonizations in root tissues. Apart from applications in research, this nontoxic, high-quality staining method also could be of great utility in teaching exercises. After adequate clearing with KOH, an ink-vinegar solution successfully stained all fungal structures, rendering them clearly visible.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
G. mosseae-colonized roots stained with an ink-vinegar solution. Roots in panels a to e were stained with black ink (Shaeffer). (a) Colonized (dark) and noncolonized ryegrass roots. The colonized root is easily distinguishable from the noncolonized root. Bar = 25 μm. (b) Individual hyphae in both heavily and partially colonized sections of a bean root are clearly visible. Bar = 20 μm. (c) Arbuscules in ryegrass root tissue. Bar = 20 μm. (d) Vesicles and internal hyphae in ryegrass root tissue. Bar = 20 μm. (e) Arbuscules and internal hyphae in bean root tissue. Bar = 5 μm. (f) Penetration unit of G. mosseae in a ryegrass root stained with blue ink (Pelikan). Bar = 20 μm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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