VIEW ARTICLE

Techniques

A Rapid Staining Method for Detection of Endophytic Fungi in Turf and Forage Grasses. D. C. Saha, Research scientist, Department of Soils and Crops, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 231, New Brunswick 08903; M. A. Jackson, and J. M. Johnson-Cicalese. Assistant extension specialist, and Senior laboratory technician, respectively, Department of Soils and Crops, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 231, New Brunswick 08903. Phytopathology 78:237-239. Accepted for publication 8 September 1987. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-78-237.

Because of the increased interest in endophyte-infected grasses, an efficient detection method was deemed necessary. To facilitate screening a large number of individual seeds and plants, a rapid, safe staining procedure was developed using rose bengal. Previous methods were time-consuming and often required careful boiling of the plant tissues. The rose bengal staining procedure is simple and effective and gave excellent visual results. Minimal staining times of 30–60 sec gave good fungal differentiation even in thick tissues, and no additional fixing was necessary. Seeds and dried tissue also were stained effectively.