DEMONSTRATION OF ABSCISIC-ACID IN SPORES AND HYPHAE OF THE ARBUSCULAR-MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS GLOMUS AND IN THE N-2-FIXING CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA-VARIABILIS

This paper describes an improved and rapid method to isolate spores an d hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus. Indirect EL ISAs indicate that spores and particularly hyphae contain abscisic aci d (ABA) and also glycosylated ABA (ABA-GE). The concentration of ABA i s at least one order of magnitude higher in hyphae than in corn roots. The phytohormone is also demonstrated in heterocysts and vegetative c ells of the N-2-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis, whereas no ABA could be detected in the associative bacterium Azospirillum brasil ense Sp 7.