SEM Analysis of Sclerotial Morphology v1

This protocol describes the preparation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis ofAgroathelia rolfsiisclerotia to evaluate morphological alterations induced by the soybean nodule endophyte‘Candidatus Pseudomonas auctus’JDE115. Sclerotia are fixed in glutaraldehyde, dehydrated through an ethanol series, freeze-dried, sputter-coated with gold, and imaged under high vacuum using a Jeol NeoScope JCM-5000 SEM. Expected results include clear visualization of surface disruptions such as cracking, pitting, or deformation in treated sclerotia compared to intact control samples. This method enables reproducible characterization of pathogen suppression mechanisms mediated by microbial biocontrol agents.