Fig. 3: The senescence zone is significantly enlarged in SyPG1/2-RNAi nodule.

a, b qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of SyPG1 (a), SyPG2 (b) in EV and SyPG1/2-RNAi transformed roots (n = 5 plants) at 21 dpi. c The number of nodules in EV (n = 11 plants) and SyPG1/2-RNAi (n = 10 plants) transformed roots was scored at 21 days post-inoculation (dpi). The graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism 10. Box-whiskers plot with all data points shown; the boxes are extended from the 25th to 75th percentiles and the line in the middle of the box is plotted at the median. Data are mean ± SE. Statistics were performed using an unpaired two-tailed student’s t-test: a p = 0.0006, b p = 0.0303, c p = 0.3089. d–g Microscopic images of 21 days old nodules embedded in Technovit 7100 and sectioned. Nodules from EV (d, e, n = 22 nodules) and SyPG1/2-RNAi (f, g, n = 25 nodules) transformed nodules were embedded in Technovit 7100 and sections were stained with ruthenium red. FZ fixation zone (red bar), SZ senescence zone (green bar). The experiments were performed with 3 independent replicates, each involving a minimum of 20 nodules. Scale bars = 100 μm in (d, f) and 20 μm in (e, g).