A research team used synchrotron-based X-ray microcomputed tomography (SR-μCT) to non-invasively obtain high-quality 3D images of fresh soybean root nodules, quantifying the volumes of the central infected zone (CIZ) and vascular bundles (VBs).
The study further employed synchrotron X-ray fluorescence imaging to visualize the distribution of iron and zinc within these tissues. This pioneering method enhances our understanding of nodule function in N2-fixation, with potential applications in breeding soybean cultivars for improved nitrogen-fixation efficiency and enhanced root nodule activity.
Nitrogen (N) is crucial for plant growth as it forms essential biomolecules. Modern agriculture relies on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which are energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. The legume-rhizobia symbiosis offers a sustainable alternative, efficiently fixing N2 in root nodules. However, the functional significance of nodule tissues in nitrogen fixation is not well understood.
A study published in Plant Phenomics on 29 May 2024, aims to employ advanced imaging techniques to visualize and assess the functional structures in soybean root nodules, enhancing our understanding of nitrogen fixation efficiency.