INFECTION AND FUNGAL DEVELOPMENT OF TUBAKIA-DRYINA ON SWEET GUM (LIQUIDAMBAR-STYRACIFLUA)

Infection and fungal development of Tubakia dryina were investigated o n leaves of sweet gum using a combination of microscopic techniques. C onidia of T. dryina adhered to the leaf surface and formed septate ger m tubes. Germ tubes terminated in small appressoria that formed direct ly over epidermal cells. Intra- and intercellular hyphae ramified exte nsively throughout the leaf tissue. Host cells associated with the inf ection site became necrotic and collapsed, resulting in macroscopic di sease symptoms.