title: Maize leaf trichomes represent an entry point of infection for Fusarium species.
abstract: Fifteen day old maize seedlings were inoculated with Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium verticillioides. More than 90 % F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides conidia and 50 % of F. graminearum formed one germ tube whereas the other 50 % of F. graminearum conidia formed two to three germ tubes. The germ tubes of F. graminearum conidia were longer than those of F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides. The three species of Fusarium infected bi-cellular trichomes by adhering and growing along the trichomes or by attaching to the cap cell of the trichomes 48 h after inoculation. Hyphae penetrated into the trichomes at the base, the side or at the top of the cap cells. The hyphae colonized the cap cells and then spread to base cells. Prickle trichomes were infected 72 h after inoculation. The hyphae either wrapped around prickle trichomes or formed a mass of hyphae around the top of prickle trichomes or formed appressorium. Macro trichomes were infected by F. graminearum 7 d after inoculation. Following penetration, the fungus spread to adjacent epidermal cells and to the subcuticle. This investigation provides the first assessment of F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides infection via trichomes of maize leaves.
authors: Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Division Phytomedicine, University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115 Bonn, Germany; Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of An Giang, 18 Ung Van Khiem, 880000 An Giang, Viet Nam. Electronic address: thanhxuan.agu@gmail.com.
authors: Thi Thanh Xuan
authors: TTX
authors: Nguyen
authors: Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Division Phytomedicine, University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors: Heinz-Wilhelm
authors: HW
authors: Dehne
authors: Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Division Phytomedicine, University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Steiner
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005670:Fusarium / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D008853:Microscopy; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D064201:Trichomes / Q000382:microbiology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Appressorium; Colonization; Foliage infection; Fusarium spp.; Penetration