多堆柄锈菌侵染玉米的细胞学及超微结构特征

为明确玉米对多堆柄锈菌Puccinia polysora侵染后病理反应的细胞学特征,利用扫描和透射电镜技术分析了玉米自交系与多堆柄锈菌互作中二者的细胞变化过程。多堆柄锈菌对玉米的侵染主要以直接穿透叶片表皮侵入为主,少量可从气孔和细胞间隙侵入。接种后,病菌夏孢子在感病自交系叶片上快速并大量萌发,在叶表生长蔓延并侵入表皮组织细胞,7 d后形成夏孢子堆;在抗病自交系上,病菌萌发、菌丝生长均受到明显抑制,少量入侵的病菌也由于寄主细胞死亡而导致菌丝和夏孢子干瘪死亡。侵染早期在感病寄主细胞间隙出现菌丝并穿透细胞壁,在胞内产生分枝菌丝,此时寄主细胞结构正常;随着菌丝进一步扩展,叶绿体等结构发生紊乱,被侵染细胞逐渐死亡。在抗病自交系上,接菌24 h后寄主即出现过敏性坏死反应,侵入位点与周围细胞快速坏死,抑制菌丝生长蔓延;叶绿体中清晰可见深色颗粒状物质;72 h后细胞壁外侧产生大量致密的深色结晶体,应为与抗病反应相关的酚类物质。表明抗多堆柄锈菌的玉米材料可能存在2种抗病途径,即寄主与病菌互作中由分子识别引起的免疫反应和病菌侵入后的系统防卫反应。     

柿树炭疽菌侵染柿树叶柄的超微结构观察

 利用透射电镜技术研究了柿树炭疽菌侵染柿树叶柄的超微结构。结果表明:病原菌侵入寄主细胞后,产生细胞内的初生菌丝,其表面沉积凹凸不平的电子不透明物质。一层界面基质(interfacial matrix)把表初生菌丝细胞壁和凹陷的寄主原生质膜分开。随着初生菌丝定殖下一个细胞,原先细胞中的细胞膜消失,形成许多泡囊,随后叶绿体消失,内质网和高尔基体也逐渐降解,最后细胞内物质全部被降解成电子不透明的颗粒,降解的物质沿着初生菌丝和细胞壁表面沉积。初生菌丝穿透细胞壁的过程中,菌丝顶端接触细胞壁后膨大,并在中部产生一个隔膜,然后顶端细胞产生一个较细的穿透菌丝,穿透寄主细胞壁。穿透菌丝在寄主细胞壁中的狭窄处产生一个隔膜,一旦穿透寄主细胞壁后,迅速膨大。次生菌丝在细胞间和细胞内扩展,通过菌丝体对细胞壁施加的机械压力引起寄主细胞壁破裂,或同初生菌丝一起使细胞壁解体。侵染90 h后,形成垫形分生孢子盘。在分生孢子盘周围的表皮细胞中,次生菌丝不断形成子座组织,使原来的子座扩大,子座不断分化形成产梗细胞,产梗细胞产生分生孢子梗,分生孢子梗生长和发育对角质层和表皮细胞壁组织折叠处施加机械压力,使角质层和表皮细胞壁组织进一步折叠,分生孢子盘也相应扩大。     

小麦抗白粉病菌侵染乳突反应的超微结构研究

 本文利用透射电镜对小麦白粉病菌与不同抗性寄主相互作用中乳交反应的超微结构进行了系统研究。结果表明:在超微结构上乳突反应是所有侵染位点的共有特征;大量线粒体、多聚核糖体、高尔基体及各种小囊泡参与了小麦乳突的形成;进入乳突沉积区的小囊泡首先形成一个个结构致密的小颗粒,然后堆积起来形成乳突的内部主体和核心,其外围是细胞器解体后沉积的一层染色淡而均匀的无定形物质;乳突沉积开始的早晚、沉积速度及持续时间决定着乳突最终的形态结构特征及其抗性强弱;乳突抗性取决于乳突沉积的早晚与速度,而不是最终沉积量即乳突的大小。乳突抗性强的材料如KhaplixCc⁸总是在入侵栓进入前已形成较完整的半圆形乳突。而高感寄主如高加索,绝大部分乳突物质是在病菌入侵栓进入后沉积的,所形成的多是沿吸器颈部周围沉积的筒状元抗性乳突。病菌侵染点附近寄主细胞壁上过氧化物酶活性的增强是所有寄主的一种普遍反应,且无明显的抗侵入作用。     

玉米丝黑穗病原菌侵染的一些细胞学研究

 在玉米生育早期,以幼芽鞘为材料,对11个抗病性不同的自交系进行了研究。玉米丝黑穗病原菌[Sphacelotheca reiliana (Kühn) Clint var.zeae Pass]可在玉米幼芽鞘内表皮上生长和繁殖;其侵染菌丝可直接侵入表皮细胞或通过气孔进入寄主体内。菌丝的侵入诱导了芽鞘内表皮细胞的细胞壁、细胞质和细胞膜特性的异常变化;抗性不同的自交系对病原菌侵入的反应不同,揭示了在生育早期玉米芽鞘细胞就表现了其固有的抗病性。     

小麦叶锈菌在感病寄主上发育的组织病理学和超微结构研究

 应用荧光显微技术、微分干涉技术和生物电镜技术,系统地研究了小麦叶锈菌在感病寄主上的发育过程及其超微结构特征。小麦叶锈菌在感病品种上的发育过程可分为几个明显的阶段,即孢子的萌发、附着胞的形成、气孔下囊的分化、初生菌丝和次生菌丝的形成和生长、吸器母细胞和吸器的形成、夏孢子床和夏孢子堆的产生以及夏孢子的形成。小麦叶锈菌的胞间菌丝呈丝状,生长和分枝通常沿寄主细胞壁进行。胞间菌丝与寄主细胞的接触诱导了吸器母细胞的分化,吸器母细胞在与寄主细胞壁的接触部位发育形成入侵栓,穿透寄主细胞壁后于细胞内形成吸器。胞间菌丝和吸器母细胞均含有双核,而成熟吸器则含有单核。经常规染色后,胞间菌丝和吸器母细胞的壁与隔膜均可分辨出由多层构成。     

菜豆锈病菌侵染对寄主超微结构的作用及菜豆抗锈病的细胞学表现

 在电镜下观察发现,菜豆锈病菌侵染菜豆后,逐步对其超微结构产生影响:寄主细胞发生质壁分离;叶绿体变形;叶绿体的片层结构排列零乱;线粒体脊模糊不清,直至叶绿体解体;线粒体空泡化;少数细胞的细胞壁分解;不同细胞的细胞器堆积在一起。同时,病原菌的侵染激发了寄主抗病性的细胞学表现:供试的抗感菜豆品种都表现为在病原菌侵入位点的寄主细胞壁内侧有高电子致密物质沉积;与吸器母细胞接触的寄主细胞壁加厚以及在吸器颈周围有电子不透明物质形成。只是这3种反应在抗病品种中表现得更加强烈。此外,抗病品种中还有一些特有的抗性特征,如被侵染细胞及其相邻细胞的快速坏死,吸器母细胞侵入位点的寄主细胞壁外侧也有一种高电子致密物质沉积,抗病品种中真菌吸器周围聚集含大量线粒体的寄主细胞的细胞质,且吸器外基质比感病品种中的宽。     

稻叶黑粉病菌侵染水稻叶片的细胞学研究

稻叶黑粉病是由担子菌Entyloma oryzae侵染水稻叶片或叶鞘引起的真菌病害，但对病原菌与寄主互作的细胞学机制一直缺少了解。本文对采自田间自然发病叶片上的病斑进行了初步的细胞学分析，结果发现，病原菌侵染后，寄主病斑部位的表皮细胞外部形态基本保持完整；病原菌主要在寄主叶肉细胞部位产生大量的厚垣孢子并逐渐取代叶肉细胞；病原菌菌丝在寄主胞外扩展，未见其穿透寄主细胞壁进入细胞内，也没有产生典型的真菌吸器。靠近病原菌菌丝的寄主各种细胞内的细胞器均发生降解，降解产生的脂类物质凝聚成了体积较大的脂质球。寄主维管束组织的细胞壁一直保持完整，未发现病原菌菌丝进入维管束，病原菌菌丝和孢子被限制在寄主相邻两个维管束之间。在发病后期，由于寄主叶片表皮结构整体性破坏导致大量细菌进入，加速了叶片的衰老死亡。本研究结果表明，稻叶黑粉病菌的侵染模式为胞外侵染，类似于活体营养真菌；但病原菌的侵染导致附近寄主细胞降解死亡，类似于腐生营养真菌。     

立枯丝核菌侵染玉米的研究

 用获自水稻及玉米的立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani Khn) AG-11A接种玉米发生典型纹枯症状,其致病力显著强于AG-4。玉米拔节期,上位叶鞘抗性较强,抽雄及抽丝期抗性减弱,下位叶鞘无论在拔节期或抽雄、抽丝期,均较上位叶鞘感病。接种玉米后8小时,形成侵染垫及附着胞,从这些结构上形成侵入钉侵入,AG-4侵染上位叶鞘时,常以菌丝直接穿透表皮或从气孔侵入。在去掉菌体的叶鞘表面,发现有周边光滑或稍破损的侵入孔。接种后12小时,在叶鞘细胞中发现菌丝,它们在穿过细胞壁进入邻近细胞时,明显变细。接种后16小时,新生出的菌丝从气孔成丛出现。     

串珠镰刀菌引起玉米穗粒腐病防御酶变化及其电镜观察

 对串珠镰刀菌(Fusarium moniliforme)侵染引起玉米穗粒腐病的防御酶活性变化和病原菌侵染过程进行研究。采用人工接菌的方法,分别对抗(Bt鄄1)、感(掖478)玉米材料进行接种,取抗、感材料间隔24 h 的6 个时间段接菌部位的苞叶组织,分析玉米植株感病后部分防御酶、同工酶谱的动态变化,并用扫描电镜对病原菌入侵植株过程进行组织病理学观察。扫描电镜观察发现,菌丝首先要经过1 ~ 3 d 生长后,大约在72 h 左右开始侵入气孔,并且随着时间的推移,侵入气孔的菌丝量逐渐增多。这说明病原菌是直接通过气孔侵入寄主苞叶组织。同时,玉米受串珠镰刀菌侵染后,苯丙氨酸解氨酶 (PAL)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活性都是先上升后下降,在感病材料Ye478 中PAL 的活性要比抗病材料Bt鄄1 中增加的更快、更高;同样对于POD 来说,在感病材料Ye478 中的活性要比抗病材料Bt鄄1 中的高,但变化趋势在2 个材料中相似;而丙二醛(MDA)的含量则相反,在感病材料Ye478 中的活性要比抗病材料Bt鄄1 中的低;对POD 同工酶酶谱分析,2 个材料都增加了3 ~ 4 个条带,没有明显的区别,这说明玉米感病后会通过增加POD 的活性来抵御外源病菌的侵入。总体而言PAL和POD 活性水平与材料抗性呈负相关;MDA 与材料抗性呈正相关关系。对玉米植株感病后防御酶活性变化的分析和病原菌入侵寄主的电镜观察结果,可为深入研究玉米穗粒腐病抗病机制和抗病育种提供参考。     

大豆疫霉菌对大豆下胚轴侵染过程的细胞学研究

 接种后1.5~24h,用光镜和电镜研究了2个大豆品种与大豆疫霉菌Ps411的亲和性和非亲和性互作。观察结果表明,大豆疫霉菌对大豆下胚轴的侵染过程可分为侵入前、侵入、皮层组织中的扩展和进入维管束组织4个连续阶段。大豆下胚轴接种后在25℃保湿培养,1.5h后游动孢子即形成休止孢并萌发产生附着孢,3h后侵入表皮细胞,6h后进入皮层组织,24h后进入维管束组织。病原菌主要以侵染菌丝直接侵入表皮,表皮细胞间隙是主要侵入部位。皮层细胞是病原菌定殖和发展的主要场所,胞间菌丝侵入皮层细胞并形成吸器。在菌丝与寄主细胞接触部位的寄主细胞壁与质膜之间常有胞壁沉积物的形成。在抗病品种上病菌的侵染事件与感病品种基本一致,但不能形成正常的吸器,胞壁沉积物明显多于感病品种,菌丝在寄主组织内的扩展明显受到抑制。利用β-1,3-葡聚糖免疫金标记单克隆抗体进行的免疫细胞化学的研究表明,胞壁沉积物内含有大量的β-1,3-葡聚糖,在大豆疫霉菌菌丝壁中也存在β-1,3-葡聚糖。以上结果表明,病原菌的侵染可诱导抗病寄主细胞内β-1,3-葡聚糖迅速的合成与积累、并形成胞壁沉积物,以抵御病菌的侵染与扩展。     

Treatment with the Mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum Triggers Induction of Defense-Related Reactions in Tomato Roots When Challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

ABSTRACT The influence exerted by the mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum in triggering plant defense reactions was investigated using an experimental system in which tomato plants were infected with the crown and root rot pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. To assess the antagonistic potential of P. oligandrum against F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, the interaction between the two fungi was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). SEM investigations of the interaction region between the fungi demonstrated that collapse and loss of turgor of F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici hyphae began soon after close contact was established with P. oligandrum. Ultrastructural observations confirmed that intimate contact between hyphae of P. oligandrum and cells of the pathogen resulted in a series of disturbances, including generalized disorganization of the host cytoplasm, retraction of the plasmalemma, and, finally, complete loss of the protoplasm. Cytochemical labeling of chitin with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)/ovomucoid-gold complex showed that, except in the area of hyphal penetration, the chitin component of the host cell walls was structurally preserved at a time when the host cytoplasm had undergone complete disorganization. Interestingly, the same antagonistic process was observed in planta. The specific labeling patterns obtained with the exoglucanase-gold and WGA-ovomucoid-gold complexes confirmed that P. oligandrum successfully penetrated invading cells of the pathogen without causing substantial cell wall alterations, shown by the intense labeling of chitin. Cytological investigations of samples from P. oligandrum-inoculated tomato roots revealed that the fungus was able to colonize root tissues without inducing extensive cell damage. However, there was a novel finding concerning the structural alteration of the invading hyphae, evidenced by the frequent occurrence of empty fungal shells in root tissues. Pythium ingress in root tissues was associated with host metabolic changes, culminating in the elaboration of structural barriers at sites of potential fungal penetration. Striking differences in the extent of F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici colonization were observed between P. oligandrum-inoculated and control tomato plants. In control roots, the pathogen multiplied abundantly through much of the tissues, whereas in P. oligandrum-colonized roots pathogen growth was restricted to the outermost root tissues. This restricted pattern of pathogen colonization was accompanied by deposition of newly formed barriers beyond the infection sites. These host reactions appeared to be amplified compared to those seen in nonchallenged P. oligandrum-infected plants. Most hyphae of the pathogen that penetrated the epidermis exhibited considerable changes. Wall appositions contained large amounts of callose, in addition to be infiltrated with phenolic compounds. The labeling pattern obtained with gold-complexed laccase showed that phenolics were widely distributed in Fusarium-challenged P. oligandrum-inoculated tomato roots. Such compounds accumulated in the host cell walls and intercellular spaces. The wall-bound chitin component in Fusarium hyphae colonizing P. oligandrum-inoculated roots was preserved at a time when hyphae had undergone substantial degradation. These observations provide the first convincing evidence that P. oligandrum has the potential to induce plant defense reactions in addition to acting as a mycoparasite.     

Bacterial-Mediated Induced Resistance in Cucumber: Beneficial Effect of the Endophytic Bacterium Serratia plymuthica on the Protection Against Infection by Pythium ultimum

ABSTRACT The potential of the endophytic bacterium Serratia plymuthica strain R1GC4 in stimulating defense reactions in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings inoculated with the soilborne pathogen Pythium ultimum was explored at the cellular level. Bacterial treatment prior to Pythium inoculation resulted in less seedling disease development as compared with that in nontreated control plants, in which typical root symptoms were visible by 3 days after inoculation with the pathogen. Histological investigations of root samples revealed striking differences in the extent of plant defense reactions between bacterized and nonbacterized plants. These observations were further confirmed at the ultrastructural level with the demonstration that restriction of fungal colonization to the outermost root tissues of bacterized seedlings correlated with the deposition of enlarged callose-enriched wall appositions at sites of potential pathogen penetration and the accumulation of an osmiophilic material in the colonized areas. Hyphae of the pathogen, surrounded by this electron-opaque material, exhibited considerable changes including cytoplasm disorganization and, in many cases, loss of the protoplasm. However, labeling with the beta-1,4-exoglucanase resulted in a regular labeling of Pythium cell walls, even at a time when these walls were entirely coated by the osmiophilic material. This material was also found to infiltrate into the invading hyphae to form either an internal coating of the cell wall or a network of polymorphic droplets in the area previously occupied by the cytoplasm. Cytochemical investigations revealed that callose, pectin, and cellulose appeared in the wall appositions. In addition, glucosides, lipids, and phenolics were detected in the electron-dense aggregates forming the core of most wall appositions. Finally, galactose residues were among the minor polysaccharidic compounds detected in the wall appositions. Evidence is provided in this study showing that treatment with S. plymuthica sensitizes susceptible cucumber plants to react more rapidly and more efficiently to Pythium attack through the formation of physical and chemical barriers at sites of potential fungal entry.     

Microscopy of invasion of red clover roots by Trichocladium basicola, and effects of benomyl and prochloraz

Roots of red clover seedlings grown on plates of water agar, or water agar containing benomyl or prochloraz, were inoculated with conidia of Trichocladium basicola and examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Penetration of host epidermal cells occurred from about 16 h after inoculation of untreated or fungicide-treated seedlings. Intracellular hyphae were constricted at septa and had a beaded appearance. They invaginated the host plasmalemma, but had no obvious deleterious effect on the cytoplasm until they had grown to fill much of the lumen, when host cells degenerated and died. As colonization of the cortex progressed, straight, unconstricted hyphae were formed and from these reproductive hyphae developed, which produced endoconidiophores and chlamydospores on the root surface. Penetration of host cell walls appeared to involve localized action of fungal enzymes. Papillae were often found at sites of penetration, but these rarely obstructed fungal development. Seedlings treated with prochloraz had fewer sites of fungal penetration, and fewer cells in the beaded hyphae than untreated seedlings or those treated with benomyl. Both fungicides caused abnormalities in fungal ultrastructure. Hyphae treated with benomyl were often found to contain lomasomes, while those treated with prochloraz had thickened, fragmented walls, and disorganized cell contents.     

An ultrastructural study of tomato roots inoculated with pathogenic and non-pathogenic necrotrophic fungi and a saprophytic fungus

Tomato cultivar Moneymaker was independently inoculated with Alternaria alternata, Cunninghamella elegans, Fusarium culmorum, F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f.sp. pisi and Stromatinia gladioli and analysed ultrastructurally. The extent and amount of superficial fungal growth on tomato roots was similar but C. elegans , a saprophyte, was exceptional in that hyphae were not closely appressed to plant surfaces and did not adhere to plant cell walls.
In general, the type of plant responses to fungal colonization and infection were similar in all of the interactions studied, with the exception of C. elegans which did not infect tomato root tissue. The failure to penetrate tomato roots by C. elegans may have been associated with the lack of hyphal adhesion to plant cell walls. Migration of cytoplasm and wall apposition/penetration papilla formation were regularly observed in tomato root tissue beneath appressed hyphae and at sites of fungal infection. Specific cellular reactions in the exodermis, namely the formation of wall 'inclusions' and appearance of 'sensitive' cells, indicated that exodermal cells were particularly responsive to fungal challenge.
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici , a pathogen of tomato, invaded tomato root tissue more extensively than the other fungi inoculated onto tomato roots. Infection of tomato by the other fungi studied was variable, and the extent and success of fungal invasion was tentatively associated with their necrotrophic capability and typical host range.     

寄生玉米的6种腐霉及其致病性研究

 从国内12省、自治区、直辖市玉米植株上分离出腐霉菌菌株,依据形态特征、培养性状、生长抑制温度,以及产生的有性与无性器官,鉴别出6个腐霉种:棘腐霉(Pythium acanthicum Drechsler),瓜果腐霉(P.aphanidermatum(Edson)Fitzpatrick),强雄腐霉(P. arrhenomanes Drechsler),禾生腐霉(P.graminicola Subramaniam),肿囊腐霉(P.inflatum Matthews),寡雄腐霉(P.oligandrum Drechsler),其中肿囊腐霉出现频率高,分布广泛。回接玉米表明,腐霉能够侵染玉米并引起病害,肿囊腐霉、禾生腐霉、强雄腐霉、棘腐霉是玉米青枯病的重要致病菌;瓜果腐霉能够引起玉米中部茎节腐烂;寡雄腐霉虽寄生玉米,但对玉米成株无致病力。     

Ultrastructural and cytochemical investigations of pathogen development and host reactions in susceptible and partially-resistant carrot roots infected by Pythium violae, the major causal agent for cavity spot

Two carrot genotypes, cultivar Nanco and line 24, susceptible and partially- resistant respectively to cavity spot, were compared ultrastructurally and cytochemically 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after root inoculation with a virulent Pythium violae isolate. The extent of pathogen ingress and the response of the host differed markedly with the two genotypes. In cv Nanco, growth of fungal hyphae was predominantly intracellular and was accompanied by pronounced damage; by 48 h after inoculation, pericycle and the first cell layers of the phloem parenchyma were invaded, resulting in host wall dissolution and cytoplasm aggregation. The growth of P. violae in line 24 was limited to the pericycle, even up to 72 h after inoculation; fungal colonization was accompanied by retraction of cytoplasm and in the appearance of granular or fibrillar material in the host cell lumen. Some affected host cells were filled with structureless osmophilic material. In cultivar Nanco, invading fungal hyphae were unaffected; by contrast in line 24, the cytoplasm of invading hyphae, particularly those inside the cell host, was disorganised and structureless. Infection and host response in the two cultivars were studied with two specific labels: Aplysia gonad lectin (AGL), a polygalacturonic acid-binding lectin, and an exoglucanase complexed to colloidal gold were used to locate pectin and cellulosic -(1,4)-glucans respectively in infected tissues. The decrease of cytochemical labeling beyong fungal penetration showed clearly hydrolysis of pectin and cellulose in cell walls of the cv Nanco. By contrast, the cell wall of line 24 remained largely intact, although, unlabeled amorphous and electron-dense material was observed inside the wall. Fibrillar or electron dense material commonly observed in infected tissue of line 24 apparently did not contain pectic or cellulosic substances. Moreover, material observed in host cells or fungal hyphae was also free of labeling. The origin and the chemical composition of these compounds as well as their possible role in the defence mechanisms of carrot against P. violae are discussed.     

Basal stem rot of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis); mode of root infection and lower stem invasion by Ganoderma boninense

Reproducible infection of intact roots of oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) with Ganoderma boninense , the cause of basal stem rot, showed penetration followed by rapid longitudinal progression of hyphae and colonization of the lower stem (bole). Light and transmission electron microscopy showed invasion of the root cortex, with no evidence of selective progression through the vascular system or lacunae. In newly colonized tissue the fungus behaved as a hemibiotroph, with numerous, wide, intracellular hyphae occupying entire host cells that possessed intact cell walls and contained discernible cytoplasm and organelles. In the bole this phase coincided with a complete depletion of previously abundant starch grains in advance of invasion. Subsequently, in the roots and colonized stem base, widespread necrotrophic, enzymatic attack of all layers of the host cell walls occurred. Hyphae were intra- and intercellular and intramural and associated host cell wall degradation was often at a distance from hyphae, resulting in cavities within cell walls. A third developmental stage was the formation of an extensive, melanized, tough mycelium or pseudo-sclerotium which surrounded roots and comprised many very thick-walled cells encasing more typical thin-walled hyphae. Macroscopic observation of and isolation from the bole of randomly felled, commercial palms provided confirmatory evidence that multiple infections originated in the roots before spreading into the base of long-established palms.     

Ultrastructural localization of chitin in cell walls of Rigidoporus lignosus, the white-rot fungus of rubber tree roots

The distribution of N-acetylglucosamine residues in the cell wall of the white-rot pathogenic fungus, Rigidoporus lignosus, was studied by using gold labelled wheatgerm agglutinin bound to ovomucoid-colloidal gold. Ultrastructural investigation of R. lignosus-infected root tissues of Hevea brasiliensis showed a modification of the fungal cell wall throughout the infection process. Gold particles were found to occur on both thick- and thin-walled hyphae of R. lignosus rhizomorphs at the root surface. Walls of hyphae that had penetrated the roots were only labelled when they were out of the host cell, suggesting that modification of chitin molecules may be related to the excretion of host cell wall degrading enzymes. Variation in the distribution of gold particles was observed over hyphal walls of both colonized phellem and xylem cells. The observation that N-acetylglucosamine residues were released in the host cell cytoplasm suggests that lytic enzymes alter the fungal cell walls. Released chitin oligosaccharides may play a role in the induction of the root's defence system against fungal attack.     

Ultrastructural study on interaction between a sterile,white endophytic fungus and eggplant roots

Eggplant roots colonized by a sterile, white mycelial endophyte (SWM) were previously found to become highly resistant to Verticillium wilt. SWM alone, however, caused no visible, disease symptoms, such as wilting or necrosis. The mechanism of the symptomless infection by SWM was investigated in this study. Electron microscopy revealed that hyphae of SWM were abundant on and inside the root epidermal cells 2 weeks after inoculation. Many terminal appressoria formed from apical tips of hyphae, and heavy degradation of the host cell walls was evident where hyphae accumulated. By 4 weeks following inoculation, penetration pegs easily breached epidermal cells, and the infection hyphae penetrated outer cortical cells. In response to the hyphal ingress, numerous tubule-like vesicles and membrane-bound, multivesicular bodies accumulated in cortical cytoplasm near the infection sites of the outer cortical cells, but no visible signs of the host reactions were seen in the epidermal cells. Papillae developed at the spaces between cell walls and plasma membranes at the infection sites. The penetration hyphae often grew out of the papillae, but further hyphal ingress was halted in the middle cortical cell layer. By 8 weeks following inoculation, papillae that developed in these cells contained larger amounts of highly electron-dense material and were reinforced by multilamellate, fibrous elements. Hyphae that entered such papillae were confined to them, and the hyphal cytoplasm degenerated. As the result of the activated resistance reactions, root vascular cylinders remained intact, and the host plants did not wilt.