VIEW ARTICLE

Electron Microscopy of Unstable Inclusions Induced in Maize by Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus. Willem G. Langenberg, Research Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503; Helen F. Schroeder, Laboratory Technician, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503. Phytopathology 63:1066-1073. Accepted for publication 26 February 1973. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-1066.

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) virions and virus-induced laminated aggregates (LA) were seen in glutaraldehyde-fixed and osmic acid-postfixed tissues if sulfhydryl compounds or enzyme inhibitors were present during glutaraldehyde fixation, but were absent, or rarely present, after conventional glutaraldehyde-osmic acid fixation. Laminated aggregates and virions were also observed with fixation procedures considered detrimental to enzymic action; i.e., osmic acid-only, formaldehyde, or chromic acid-Formalin fixations. Pinwheels were observed with all fixation procedures, but were more abundant after fixation with glutaraldehyde alone. The results suggest that the partial disappearance of MDMV and LA can be attributed to cellular lytic action during conventional glutaraldehyde fixation.