Fig. 3

Enhanced delivery of SPc-loaded ds-MIRNA into maize roots. a Schematic diagram of root application. Red arrow and box indicate the application and observation site, respectively. b Representative longitudinal section images of roots and fluorescent analysis of SPc-delivered ds-MIRNA at 12 h after the treatment. Right and left scale bars indicate 200 and 20 µm, respectively. Different letters on columns indicate significant differences (Duncan’s multiple range test, P < 0.05). c Representative cross section images of roots and fluorescent analysis of SPc-delivered ds-MIRNA at 12 h after the treatment. Right and left scale bars indicate 200 and 100 µm, respectively