Histopathology of loblolly pine needles infected by Mycosphaerella dearnessii,the brown-spot needle disease pathogen

The histopathology of green Pinus taeda needles infected with Mycosphaerella dearnessii was investigated. Cellular abnormalities observed were predominately the collapse of mesophyll cells within the limits of the symptom lesions. The epidermis, hypodermis, endodermis, transfusion tissue, and the vascular system within the lesions were not affected. Resin ducts exhibited cell necrosis and dissolution within and distal from the visible limits of lesions. An intercellular interface was present in non-collapsed mesophyll cells at lesion limits, and the lateral extension of the interface usually corresponded to the effects observed in resin ducts distal from the lesions. Non-stromatic hyphae were rare in and distal from lesion tissue, indicating the host tissues were affected in advance of the pathogen. The production of a toxin by M. dearnessii is suspected.