Differential and Simultaneous Visualization of Cells and Airspaces in Plant Leaves

Abstract

This protocol is to differentially and simultaneously visualize both cells and airspaces in intact leaves and to create 3D structures of cells and airspaces from confocal images using the software DSLT_Demo (https://github.com/nslab2000/DSLT). Leaves stained with Nile Red in silicone-oil solution provide red color to cell membranes and green color to airspaces filled with silicone oil solution. This method is applicable to any tissues (except for dry seeds) of various plants including Arabidopsis, Nicotiana, Lemna and moss, and applicable even to hard leaves of plants such as switchgrass and Cinnamomum. Repeated use of this method enables time-lapse imaging of leaves over days and weeks because both Nile Red and silicone oil are harmless to plant tissues.