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Microscopic study of the Stenocarpella macrospora infection process on maize leaves

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Abstract

Macrospora leaf spot, caused by Stenocarpella macrospora, is an important disease of maize. However, little information is available regarding the infection process of this fungus on maize leaves. This study aimed to describe stages of the infection process of S. macrospora on maize leaves by using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The adaxial surfaces of maize leaves were inoculated with a conidial suspension of S. macrospora and leaf samples were collected from 24 to 96 h after inoculation (hai) and also at 20 days after inoculation (dai). At 24 hai, the germ tubes from the germinated conidia attempted to penetrate the leaf cuticle without any sign of positive tropism to stomata. After penetration, fungal hyphae colonized the epidermal cells as well as the underlying mesophyll cells. At 20 dai, prominent fungal growth was noticed in the phloem vessels, parenchyma cells, xylem vessels and in the bundle sheath cells as well as in the vessel elements. Fungal hyphae emerged in different developmental stages through the stomata and pycnidia were noticed in the necrotic lesions at 20 dai. These results provide new insight into the infection process of S. macrospora on maize leaves and may contribute to the development of more effective control of macrospora leaf spot.

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Acknowledgments

Prof. F. A. Rodrigues thanks the CNPq for his research fellowship. The authors thank the “Núcleo de Microscopia e Microanálise” of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa” for the use of their equipment. We thank Dr. João Américo Wordell Filho for his technical assistance. This study was supported by grants from CAPES, CNPq and FAPEMIG to Prof. F. A. Rodrigues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, CEP 36570-900, Brazil

    Maria B. Bermudez-Cardona, Maria Fernanda A. Cruz & Fabrício A. Rodrigues

  2. Laboratorio de Fitopatología, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia

    Maria B. Bermudez-Cardona

Authors
  1. Maria B. Bermudez-Cardona
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  2. Maria Fernanda A. Cruz
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  3. Fabrício A. Rodrigues
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Correspondence to Fabrício A. Rodrigues.

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Section Editor: Elaine A. de Souza

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Bermudez-Cardona, M.B., Cruz, M.F.A. & Rodrigues, F.A. Microscopic study of the Stenocarpella macrospora infection process on maize leaves. Trop. plant pathol. 41, 115–122 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40858-016-0079-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40858-016-0079-3

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