SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN-FIXING ROOT-NODULES OF LATHYRUS-MARITIMUS (L) BIGEL (BEACH PEA) FROM NEWFOUNDLAND SHORE LINES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO OLEOSOMES (LIPID BODIES)

Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigel, commonly known as beach pea, grows along the shorelines of Newfoundland, Canada. Rhizobia have been isolated from the subterranean root nodules and the cultures were induced to nodulate seedlings raised in the laboratory. The nodules collected from the field were elongated and sometimes branched with proximal ends thickened. Histological characteristics revealed their indeterminate perennial form. Oleosomes (lipid bodies) were present in the nodule tissues. Morphometric analysis showed their presence in the nodule cortex cells throughout all developmental stages, but they were found in the infected cells only during the early stages of infection and symbiosis. It is suggested that oleosomes are utilized for membrane and rhizobial proliferation during establishment of symbiosis in the infected cells. The role of oleosomes in the cortical cells remains unclear.