A microscopic study of the wheat-powdery mildew relationship after application of the systemic compounds procaine,griseofulvin and 6-azauracil

On wheat seedlings systemically protected by root application of procaine-hydrochloride, griseofulvin or 6-azauracil, germination of oidia ofErysiphe graminis f. sp.tritici and penetration of this fungus into the epidermal cell wall was as high as on control plants. Inhibition of powdery mildew development became apparent only after the penetration process had started. About 85% of the infections were halted within 24 hours after the inoculation, and did not result in the formation of a haustorium. In the other cases usually not more than one haustorium per infection court was formed, which often showed anomalies, characteristic for each compound used. Development of mycelium was scanty or absent and no sporulation occurred. Similarly, on plants of a resistant wheat variety, powdery mildew inhibition became apparent only after penetration of the host had started. There was no development of mycelium or sporulation. A severe reaction of certain epidermal cells to penetration by powdery mildew was observed on resistant as well as on treated and untreated susceptible plants. However, in relation to the total number of infections, the percentage of this type of reaction was low.