Optimal Preparation of Tissue Sections for Light-Microscopic Analysis of Phloem Anatomy.

In order to successfully analyze and describe any plant tissue, the first challenge is preparation of good anatomical slides. The challenge is even greater when the target tissue has heterogeneous characteristics, such as the phloem where soft and stiff tissues occur side by side. The goal of this chapter is to present a detailed protocol containing various techniques for optimal preparation of phloem tissue samples for light microscopic analysis. The process typically involves the steps of fixation, softening, embedding, sectioning, staining, and mounting. The protocol can be applied to make samples of phloem and surrounding tissues of stems and roots, from woody to herbaceous plants.