plant surface microbiology.pdf

25 Analysing Interactions between Microorganisms and Cuticles 475
gas chromatogram is shown in Fig. 3. The qualitative wax analysis is performed
by gas chromatography combined with a mass spectrometric detector.
Identification of wax components relies on the specific mass spectra of the
molecules. The wax coverage and the wax composition is usually given per
unit area of plant surface. Therefore, the total area of extracted leaves or cuticles
needs to be determined after wax extraction.
4 A New in Vitro System for the Study of Interactions
Between Microbes and Cuticles
4.1 Isolated Cuticles as Model Surfaces for Phyllosphere Studies
This new experimental system for in vitro studies of leaf surface–microbe
interactions is based on isolated cuticles as colonisation surfaces. Isolated
cuticles are ideal model surface for simulation of the phylloplane habitat as
the special interfacial character of the phyllosphere is retained. Surfaces of
cuticular membranes reflect the topography of epidermal cells with anticlinal
cell wall depressions and the course of leaf veins like an reverse imprint of the
Fig. 4. Scanning electron microscope picture of an isolated cuticular membrane of ivy
(Hedera helix L.). View of the physiological inner side of the cuticle. The pattern of epidermal
cell walls and leaf veins is clearly visible