Nutrients Accumulation and Vascularization of Agrobacterium Tumours Induced on Launaea capitata Spreng. Plant

Adil A. El Hussein¹, Marmar A. El Siddig¹, Sakina M. A. Yagi¹ and Abdel Wahab H. Abdalla²

¹ Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan, P.O. Box: 321, P.C. 11115, Khartoum, Sudan.

²Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Sudan

*Corresponding Author’s Email: adilelhussein@hotmail.com; 

Tel: 00249 9 122 32845; Fax: +249 (83) 773 610

Accepted 07 April, 2014

Abstract

Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain (AGRO1) was isolated from stem tumours gathered from Launaea capitata Spreng. Plant. The isolates was used to infect the stems of the host plant then tumours induced were detached and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometery. The tumours were found to contain higher concentrations of some micro- and macroelements as well as sugars in comparison to healthy or infected stems. Cross sections made through the tumours showed globular and extensively branched tumour bundles, consisting of both xylem and phloem which were functionally connected to the vascular system of the host stem. This sophisticated pattern of vascularization was discussed in relation to the ability of the tumoural tissue to accumulate high concentration of minerals and sugars.

Keywords: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, tumours, minerals concentration, histology.