Lg. Dushnicky et al., PENETRATION AND INFECTION OF SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT WHEAT CULTIVARS BY A NECROSIS TOXIN-PRODUCING ISOLATE OF PYRENOPHORA-TRITICI-REPENTIS, Canadian journal of plant pathology, 18(4), 1996, pp. 392-402
Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to follow
the infection process of a necrosis toxin-producing isolate (86-124) o
f the tan spot pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis on leaves of susc
eptible and resistant wheat cultivars. Conidia germinated to produce g
erm tubes that gave rise to appressoria above epidermal cells or over
the stomatal complex on both susceptible and resistant leaves. Germ tu
bes appeared to be attracted to stomatal complexes. The fungus penetra
ted the host leaf by direct invasion of the epidermal cells below the
appressorium. If penetration did not occur below an appressorium, the
germ tube grew further along the leaf surface to produce a secondary a
ppressorium. Successful penetration of epidermal cells occurred with t
he formation of an intracellular vesicle which produced one or more se
condary intracellular hyphae. The intracellular hyphae penetrated the
lower wall of the infected epidermal cell prior to invasion of the mes
ophyll tissue. Penetration prior to invasion of mesophyll tissue occur
red in a similar manner on leaves of susceptible and resistant wheat p
lants.