Studies into primary and secondary infection processes by Plasmodiophora brassicae on canola

The early stages of infection of canola roots by the clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae were investigated. Inoculation with 1 × 10⁵ resting spores mL^?1 resulted in primary (root hair) infection at 12 h after inoculation (hai). Secondary (cortical) infection began to be observed at 72 hai. When inoculated onto plants at a concentration of 1 × 10⁴ mL^?1, secondary zoospores produced primary infections similar to those obtained with resting spores at a concentration of 1 × 10⁵ mL^?1. Secondary zoospores caused secondary infections earlier than resting spores. When the plants were inoculated with 1 × 10⁷ resting spores mL^?1, 2 days after being challenged with 1 × 10⁴ or 1 × 10⁵ resting spores mL^?1, secondary infections were observed on the very next day, which was earlier than the secondary infections resulting from inoculation with 1 × 10⁷ resting spores mL^?1 alone and more severe than those produced by inoculation with 1 × 10⁴ or 1 × 10⁵ resting spores mL^?1 alone. Compared with the single inoculations, secondary infections on plants that had received both inoculations remained at higher levels throughout a 7‐day time course. These data indicate that primary zoospores can directly cause secondary infection when the host is under primary infection, helping to understand the relationship and relative importance of the two infection stages of P. brassicae.     

Interactive Effects of Two Soilborne Pathogens, Phytophthora capsici and Verticillium dahliae, on Chile Pepper

ABSTRACT Phytophthora capsici and Verticillium dahliae are two mycelial microorganisms associated with wilt symptoms on chile pepper (Capsicum annuum). Both pathogens occur in the same field and can infect a single plant. This study examined the nature of the co-occurrence of P. capsici and V. dahliae. Chile pepper plants were inoculated with each pathogen separately or with both pathogens concomitantly or sequentially. In concomitant inoculations, plants were inoculated with a mixture of zoospores of P. capsici and conidia of V. dahliae. In sequential inoculations, plants were inoculated with zoospores of P. capsici 4 days prior to inoculation with conidia of V. dahliae, or plants were inoculated with conidia of V. dahliae 4 days prior to inoculation with zoospores of P. capsici. Stem necrosis and leaf wilting were visible 3 to 4 days earlier in plants inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than in plants inoculated with P. capsici alone. Stem necrosis and generalized plant wilting were observed in plants inoculated with P. capsici alone, and stem necrosis, generalized plant wilting, and vascular discoloration were observed in plants inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae by 21 days after inoculation. These symptoms were not observed in control plants or plants inoculated with V. dahliae alone. The frequency of recovery of V. dahliae from stems was approximately 85 to 140% higher across inoculum levels when plants were inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than when plants were inoculated by V. dahliae alone. Similarly, the frequency of recovery of V. dahliae from roots was approximately 13 to 40% higher across inoculum levels when plants were inoculated with both P. capsici and V. dahliae than when plants were inoculated by V. dahliae alone. There was no apparent antagonism between the two pathogens when they were paired on growth media. In general, when P. capsici and V. dahliae were paired on growth media, mycelial growth of each pathogen grown alone was not significantly different from mycelial growth when the pathogens were paired. Results suggest that wilt development is hastened by the presence of both P. capsici and V. dahliae in the same plants. The presence of P. capsici and V. dahliae in the same inoculum court enhanced infection and colonization of chile pepper by V. dahliae.     

Effect of temperature and host genotype on the production of inoculum by Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae from the roots of infected strawberry plants

A bioassay was used to monitor the release of inoculum in drainage water from strawberry plants inoculated with zoospores of Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae. The fungus was detected in drainage water from plants that had been held at temperatures between 2 and 20 C. but not from plants held at 26°C. The lag phase before secondary inoculum was first released, the maximum and total amounts of inoculum released, and the length of time over which inoculum was released were all greater at the lower temperature regimes, especially those below 10 C. The results were consistent with observations on the effect of temperature on zoospore production from agar discs and on zoospore motility: more zoospores were produced at lower temperatures and they remained motile for longer. From this it is concluded that the inoculum detected consists mainly of motile zoospores. In most experiments with standardized suspensions c. 10-15 were sufficient to initiate infection of the plants in the bioassay. In general, more inoculum was produced by host genotype/fungal isolate combinations in which there were marked root rot symptoms than in combinations in which the host was resistant.     

Nonhost versus host resistance to the grapevine downy mildew, Plasmopara viticola, studied at the tissue level

Following inoculation of host and nonhost plants with Plasmopara viticola, the grapevine downy mildew, a histological survey was undertaken to identify the stage where its development is contained in nonhosts and in resistant host plants. Three herbaceous nonhost species, Beta vulgaris, Lactuca sativa, and Capsicum annuum, and three grapevine species displaying different level of resistance (Vitis vinifera [susceptible], Vitis riparia [partially resistant] and Muscadinia rotundifolia [totally resistant]) where inoculated by P. viticola using a controlled leaf disk inoculation bioassay. During the early steps of infection, defined as encystment of zoospores on stomata, penetration of the germ tube, and production of the vesicle with the primary hypha, there was no evidence of a clear-cut preference to grapevine tissues that could attest to host specificity. The main difference between host grapevine species and nonhosts was observed during the haustorium formation stage. In nonhost tissues, the infection was stopped by cell wall-associated defense responses before any mature haustorium could appear. Defense responses in resistant grapevines were triggered when haustoria were fully visible and corresponded to hypersensitive responses. These observations illustrate that, for P. viticola, haustorium formation is not only a key stage for the establishment of biotrophy but also for the host specificity and the recognition by grapevine resistance factors.     

Demonstration of secondary infection by Pythium violae in epidemics of carrot cavity spot using root transplantation as a method of soil infestation

Cavity spot of carrot (CCS), one of the most important soilborne diseases of this crop worldwide, is characterized by small sunken elliptical lesions on the taproot caused by a complex of pathogens belonging to the genus Pythium , notably P. violae . In most soilborne diseases the soil is the source of inoculum for primary infections, with diseased plants then providing inoculum for secondary infections (both auto- and alloinfection). Using fragments of CCS lesions to infest soil, it was demonstrated that CCS lesions on carrot residues can cause primary infection of healthy roots. Using a novel soil infestation method, in which an artificially infected carrot root (the donor plant) was placed close to healthy roots (receptor plants) the formation of typical CCS lesions were induced more efficiently than the use of classical soil inoculum and showed that CCS can spread from root to root by alloinfection from transplanted diseased roots. The method also demonstrated the polycyclic nature of a CCS epidemic caused by P. violae in controlled conditions. Secondary infections caused symptoms and reduced root weight as early as two weeks after transplantation of the diseased carrot. This reproducible method may be used for delayed inoculation and for studying the effect of cropping factors and the efficacy of treatments against primary and secondary cavity spot infections.     

Plant defence reactions against fusarium wilt in chickpea induced by incompatible race 0 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris and nonhost isolates of F. oxysporum

Germinated seeds of 'kabuli' chickpea cv. ICCV 4 were inoculated with a conidial suspension of the incompatible race 0 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (Foc) or of nonhost F. oxysporum resistance 'inducers', and 3 days later were challenged by root dip with a conidial suspension of highly virulent Foc race 5. Prior inoculation with inducers delayed the onset of symptoms and/or significantly reduced the final amount of fusarium wilt caused by race 5. However, the extent of disease suppression varied with the nature of the inducing agent; the nonhost isolates of F. oxysporum were more effective at disease suppression than the incompatible Foc race 0. Inoculation with the inducers gave rise to synthesis of maackiain and medicarpin phytoalexins in inoculated seedlings; these did not accumulate in plant tissues but were released into the inoculum suspension. Inoculation with inducers also resulted in accumulation of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase activities in plant roots. These defence-related responses were induced more consistently and intensely by nonhost isolates of F. oxysporum than by incompatible Foc race 0. The phytoalexins and, to a lesser extent, the antifungal hydrolases, were also induced after challenge inoculation with Foc race 5. However, in this case the defence responses were induced in both preinduced and noninduced plants infected by the pathogen. It is concluded that the suppression of fusarium wilt in this study possibly involved an inhibitory effect on the pathogen of preinduced plant defences, rather than an increase in the expression of defence mechanisms of preinduced plants following a subsequent challenge inoculation.     

Relationship between physiological response of French beans of different age to Meloidogyne incognita and subsequent yield loss

A study was made of the effect of a single generation of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on the growth of potted French bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) inoculated at different stages of plant maturity. In separate experiments. 3-, 11- and 13-day-old plants were inoculated before primary leaf expansion (BPLE). at the appearance of trifoliate leaves (TRIF) and at the flower bud (BDS) stages respectively, with 0, 2000, 4000 or 8000 second-stage juvenile nematodes and maintained in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. The photosynthetic rate of the plants inoculated at the TRIF and BDS stages decreased significantly with increasing inoculum level 7 days after inoculation. Although the respiration rate did not significantly change throughout the experimental period, the ratio of photosynthetic to respiration rate decreased significantly with increasing nematode inoculum level and duration of infection. Chlorophyll content, plant dry weight and the numbers of buds, flowers, pods and seeds were significantly lower in infected plants than in the controls; this effect increased with increasing levels of nematode inoculum for all three plant stages. The leaf area was significantly smaller only when nematode infection occurred at the BPLE stage. The plants which were youngest at the time of nematode infection produced the lowest yield; this appeared to result from the effect of nematodes on photosynthesis and related physiological processes.     

Factors Affecting Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi Plant Inoculations and Their Use for Evaluation of Olive Cultivar Susceptibility

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi causes olive knot disease, which is present in most countries where olive trees are grown. Although the use of cultivars with low susceptibility may be one of the most appropriate methods of disease control, little information is available from inoculation assays, and cultivar susceptibility assessments have been limited to few cultivars. We have evaluated the effects of pathogen virulence, plant age, the dose/response relationship, and the induction of secondary tumors in olive inoculation assays. Most P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi strains evaluated were highly virulent to olive plants, but interactions between cultivars and strains were found. The severity of the disease in a given cultivar was strongly dependent of the pathogen dose applied at the wound sites. Secondary tumors developed in noninoculated wounds following inoculation at another position on the stem, suggesting the migration of the pathogen within olive plants. Proportion and weight of primary knots and the presence of secondary knots were evaluated in 29 olive cultivars inoculated with two pathogen strains at two inoculum doses, allowing us to rate most of the cultivars as having either high, medium, or low susceptibility to olive knot disease. None of the cultivars were immune to the disease.     

Assessment of the impact of resistant and susceptible canola on Plasmodiophora brassicae inoculum potential

The impact on clubroot severity of growing susceptible canola or mixtures of resistant and susceptible canola genotypes was examined. Bioassays revealed greater clubroot severity and incidence, and reduced plant height, where 100% of a susceptible cultivar had been grown. A higher proportion of susceptible plants within a resistant canola crop increased root hair and secondary infections. Regression analysis of root hair infection and the amount of Plasmodiophora brassicae DNA (as determined by quantitative PCR) revealed strong linear relationships between the two parameters. The linear relationships between root hair infection and P. brassicae DNA were stronger for the resistant cultivar than for the susceptible cultivar when regression analysis was conducted by cultivar over the sampling dates. In conclusion, the cropping of a resistant cultivar reduced clubroot severity, while the presence of susceptible volunteer canola increased inoculum potential. Quantitative PCR was a reliable tool for the quantification of root hair infection.     

禾草内生真菌与丛枝菌根互作对多年生黑麦草生长及叶斑病的影响

为明确禾草内生真菌和丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)互作对多年生黑麦草Lolium perenne生长发育及叶斑病的影响,设置禾草内生真菌处理(由带有和不带禾草内生真菌种子建立)、AMF(幼套球囊霉Claroideoglomus etunicatum和根内球囊霉Rhizophagus intraradices)单独接种和混合接种处理及不接菌处理(对照),并在植物生长6周后接种或不接种多年生黑麦草叶斑病病原菌根腐离蠕孢Bipolaris sorokiniana,测定各处理多年生黑麦草的发病率、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、水分利用效率、AMF侵染率、P含量和生物量。结果表明:接种病原菌2周后,多年生黑麦草叶斑病的发病率为25.00%～38.75%,禾草内生真菌和幼套球囊霉均在一定程度上降低了多年生黑麦草的发病率,二者共同作用时发病率显著降低了35.48%。禾草内生真菌与AMF互作能在一定程度上提高植物叶绿素含量,促进光合作用,并促进P吸收和植物生长,二者的互作效应因禾草内生真菌与AMF组合而异,但均优于二者单独使用时的效应,其中禾草内生真菌与幼套球囊霉互作对多年生黑麦草生长及叶斑病防治的效果最好。     

Germinate to exterminate: chemical stimulation of Spongospora subterranea resting spore germination and its potential to diminish soil inoculum

Hoagland's solution (HS), a defined nutrient supplement for plants, has been previously reported to stimulate zoospore release from resting spores of the potato pathogen Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea. This study obtained direct empirical evidence for an increase in zoospore release with HS treatment, and identified Fe‐EDTA as the stimulant component of HS. Stimulation of resting spores by HS and Fe‐EDTA resulted in greater and earlier zoospore release compared to a distilled water control, and in the presence of a susceptible tomato host plant resulted in enhanced root infection. Given the labile nature of S. subterranea zoospores, it was postulated that stimulation of premature release of zoospores from the dormant resting spores in absence of susceptible hosts could reduce soil inoculum levels. In two glasshouse trials in the absence of host plants, both Fe‐EDTA and HS soil treatments reduced S. subterranea soil inoculum levels, providing proof of concept for the ‘germinate to exterminate’ approach to inoculum management.     

Alternative hosts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">flaccumfaciens</Emphasis>, causal agent of bean bacterial wilt

Alternative hosts are an important way of phytopathogenic bacteria survival between crop seasons, constituting a source of inoculum for the following crops. Bacterial wilt, caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff), is one of the most important diseases for common bean, and little information is available about the host range of the bacterium. In this study, we assessed possible alternative hosts for Cff, especially those cultivated during winter, in rotation systems with common bean. Plants of barley, black oat, canola, radish, ryegrass, wheat and white oat, were assessed under field and greenhouse conditions. Cff colonized epiphytically all plant species and endophytically black oat, ryegrass, wheat and white oat plants assessed in the greenhouse assays. Under field conditions, Cff colonized all plant species by except radish. All bacterial strains re-isolated from the plants were pathogenic to common bean and identified as Cff by PCR with specific primers. Based on our results, the cultivation of bean crop in succession with barley, black oat, canola, ryegrass, wheat and white oat should not be recommended, mainly in areas with a history of bacterial wilt occurrence. In these cases, the better option for crop rotation during the winter is radish, a non-alternative host for Cff.     

Usefulness of nonhost plants in managing Plasmodiophora brassicae

Germination of resting spores of Plasmodiophora brassicae , causal agent of clubroot in crucifers, may be stimulated by certain nonhost plants. Without a host plant to infect, such germination would lead to a reduced persistence of resting spores in the soil. The effect of four nonhost plants on P. brassicae was investigated in a 3-year field experiment and a 14-month glasshouse experiment. Three of the plant species used, leek ( Allium porrum ), winter rye ( Secale cereale ) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ), have been reported to stimulate resting spore germination, while the fourth, red clover ( Trifolium pratense ), does not. In the field experiment, none of the plant species reduced the concentration of P. brassicae in soils when tested with bioassay plants (Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa var. pekinensis ). In the glasshouse experiment, there was a lower disease level in all plant treatments compared with the plant-free control following incorporation and decomposition of plant roots. At this time, pH in the soils with plant treatments was higher than that in the control soil. There were no indications of a species-specific interaction between any of the nonhost plants investigated and P. brassicae , and it cannot be concluded that any of them would be useful in the sanitation of P. brassicae -infested soils within short time periods.     

A test system to quantify inoculum in runoff from Phytophthora ramorum-infected plant roots

Foliar hosts of Phytophthora ramorum are often susceptible to root infection but the epidemiological significance of such infections is unknown. A standardized test system was developed to quantify inoculum in runoff from root-infected Viburnum tinus ?Spring Bouquet? or Rhododendron ?Cunningham's White? cuttings. Cuttings of both species gave off a maximum amount of inoculum 1 to 3 weeks after inoculation. The greatest amount of inoculum was recovered from Viburnum roots that were 48 to 70 days old at the time of inoculation, or roots incubated at 15 to 20?C rather than 25?C. Inoculum in runoff from inoculated Viburnum roots was similar for four different isolates of P. ramorum representing both the NA1 and EU1 lineages. When Rhododendron cuttings were inoculated with P. ramorum, P. citricola, or P. cactorum, inoculum of all three pathogens was recovered from runoff, with the highest amount recovered from plants inoculated with P. citricola, followed by the other two. Compared with the other two pathogens, P. ramorum colonized root tissue to a smaller extent. The epidemiology of root infection by P. ramorum is important in itself but the assay might lend itself for use in risk analysis for root infection of other plant species and evaluation of control measures, and also shed light on other root-infecting Phytophthora spp.     

Aspects of narcissus smoulder epidemiology

The range of symptoms caused by the narcissus smoulder pathogen Botrytis narcissicola is described. Healthy bulbs inoculated with B. narcissicola , or grown in soil containing sclerotia, showed lesions in the shoot on emergence (primary symptoms). In commercial fields, B. narcissicola was commonly isolated from the bulb neck and leaf sheath of plants with primary symptoms. Plants infected by B. narcissicola one season, either with natural primary symptoms or following artificial inoculation, frequently emerged with smoulder symptoms the following season. About 40% of B. narcissicola sclerotia were viable after burial in soil for 9 months. It is suggested that infected bulbs and sclerotia present in soil are the major sources of smoulder outbreaks. Secondary infection by conidia was enhanced by damaging leaves, and open stalk ends left after flower picking were found to provide an important site for infection development. B. narcissicola was isolated from bulb necks when plants with symptoms of secondary infection had died down, A disease cycle is postulated and suggestions for controlling smoulder are discussed with reference to the cycle.     

Increased plant tolerance against chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’) following double inoculation with Glomus mosseae BEG12 and Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a combined inoculum of a rhizobacterium and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on plant responses to phytoplasma infection, and on phytoplasma multiplication and viability in Chrysanthemum carinatum plants infected by chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CY). Combined inoculation with Glomus mosseae BEG12 and Pseudomonas putida S1Pf1Rif resulted in some resistance to phytoplasma infection (about 30%), delayed symptom expression in nonresistant plants, improved growth of the aerial part of the infected plants (+68·1%), and altered root morphology (root tip number: +49·9%; branching degree: +82·8%). Combined inoculation with the two beneficial microorganisms did not alter CY multiplication and viability. In inoculated and infected plants, phytoplasma morphology was typical of senescent cells. A more active and efficient root system in double‐inoculated plants probably mediated the effects of the two rhizospheric microorganisms in the infected plants. The practical application of rhizospheric microorganisms for mitigating phytoplasma damage, following evaluation under field conditions, represents an additional tool for the integrated management of phytoplasmosis.     

Microscopical observations of the primary zoospores of Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea

A solution culture test system with Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea spore ball inoculum and tomato bait plants was used to create a pulse of primary zoospore production and subsequent host-root infection. Spore balls and zoospores were examined by light, fluorescence, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Most of the resting spores with a developing exit pore did not show any changes in cytoplasmic content typical of zoospore formation. A few empty resting spores and some with developing exit pores were also observed in the absence of host-root exudates. The average diameter of exit pores of empty resting spores was 1.5 μm and they were often encircled by a ring-like fusion of wall layers. Mature zoospores were never found inside resting spores. Primary and secondary zoospores are identical in morphology. The infection process is similar to that of other Plasmodiophoromycetes with internal 'Rohr'-like structures in encysted zoospores which were attached by an adhesorium to tomato root hairs. Post-infection papillae and uninucleate plasmodia were observed.     

Head Blight Gradients Caused by Gibberella zeae from Area Sources of Inoculum in Wheat Field Plots

ABSTRACT The spread of Fusarium head blight of wheat from a small area inoculum source was examined in wheat plots (100, 625, or 2,500 m(2)) inoculated in the center with Gibberella zeae-colonized corn kernels or macro-conidia sprayed on heads at anthesis. With the first inoculation method, disease foci were produced from ascospores released from perithecia formed on inoculated kernels. With the second inoculation method, disease foci were produced by macroconidia directly applied to the heads. Some plots were misted during anthesis. Plots were divided into grids, and disease incidence on spikelets and seeds was assessed at the grid intersections. Isopath contour maps were constructed using an interpolation procedure based on a weighted least squares method. Disease gradients were constructed from the isopath contours in the direction parallel to average nightly wind vectors using an exponential model. This study was conducted over a 3-year period at two sites: one in Quebec and one in Ontario. Both inoculation methods resulted in a discrete, primary focus of head blight in each plot, with one or two smaller secondary foci in some plots. The highest incidence of disease on spikelets or seed was commonly displaced somewhat from the inoculum source, usually downwind. The gradient slopes of seed and spikelet infection ranged from -0.10 to -0.43 m(1) in plots with ascospore inoculum and from -0.48 to -0.79 m(1) in plots inoculated with macroconidia. Seed infection declined to 10% of the maximum within 5 to 22 m from the focal center in asco-spore-inoculated plots, and within 5 m in a macroconidia-inoculated plot. Gradients were usually steeper upwind compared with downwind of the inoculum source. In misted plots, incidence of disease was higher and more diffuse than in nonirrigated plots. Based on gradients and dispersal patterns, disease foci in plots inoculated with G. zeae-colonized corn kernels probably arose from airborne ascospores rather than from splash-borne macroconidia and were the result of infection events that occurred over a short period of time. Comparison of conidial- and ascospore-derived disease gradients indicated a lack of secondary infection, confirming that Fusarium head blight is primarily a monocyclic disease.     

Effects of inoculum density,plant age and temperature on disease severity caused by pythiaceous fungi on several plants

Alfalfa, maize, sorghum and sugarbeet plants were inoculated with zoospores ofPhytophthora andPythium species in order to assess the effects of inoculum density, plant age and temperature on disease severity. Seedlings were grown axenically in test tubes and inoculated with zoospore suspensions. Disease severity was assessed by measuring the root growth and discoloration of treated and control seedlings. The incremental root length of all plants decreased and root discoloration increased as inoculum concentration of the pathogen increased. Changes were more intensive among low levels of zoospore concentrations and no significant differences in disease severity were found for inoculum densities higher than 10⁴ zoospores ml^-1. Disease severity was negatively related to plant age. Disease development on sugarbeet seedlings infected withPythium andPhytophthora species was affected by temperature, but the pattern of response was determined by the pathogen’s temperature preferences. The incremental root length decreased as temperature increased up to 25°C. The effect ofPythium dissimile andPhytophthora cactorum on root length was significantly lower at 35°C than at 25°C, whereasPythium aphanidermatum andPhytophthora nicotianae caused significant damage to roots even at 35°C. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 3, 2001.     

Ustilago maydis Infection of the Nonnatural Host Arabidopsis thaliana

ABSTRACT The experimental infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by the maize phytopathogenic hemibasidiomycete Ustilago maydis under axenic conditions is described. When plantlets were inoculated with mixtures of compatible haploids, the fungus was able to grow on the plant surface of inoculated seedlings in the form of white mycelium and invade the tissues, probably penetrating through stomata; however, it did not form teliospores. Symptoms of disease were increased anthocyanin formation, development of chlorosis, increased formation of secondary roots, induction of malformations in the leaves and petioles, induction of tissue necrosis, and stunting. In several cases, death of the invaded plants occurred. Interestingly, inoculation of single U. maydis haploid strains produced similar symptoms in Arabidopsis plantlets. In contrast, several mutants avirulent to maize also were avirulent or less virulent than wildtype strains on Arabidopsis. Collectively, the reported data suggest that the U. maydis-Arabidopsis pathosystem may constitute a useful experimental model for the analysis of some aspects of the virulence factors of the fungus. With the study of nonhost responses and their comparison to those occurring during maize infection, we will be able to elucidate some obscure aspects of U. maydis pathogenicity in the future.