THE LOCALIZATION AND FREQUENCY OF HAUSTORIA IN COLONIES OF BROWN RUST ON BARLEY LEAVES.
1School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
The New Phytologist
|April 20, 2021
Summary
Brown rust fungi (Puccinia hordei) form haustoria in barley leaf cells. These structures are sufficient for nutrient uptake, supporting fungal growth and respiration.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Plant-Fungal Interactions
Background:
- Brown rust (Puccinia hordei) is a significant pathogen of barley.
- Understanding fungal nutrient acquisition is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the location and quantity of haustoria formed by Puccinia hordei in barley leaves.
- To assess the surface area of haustoria and intracellular hyphae for nutrient uptake capacity.
Main Methods:
- Serial sectioning of infected barley leaf blades.
- Microscopic examination to identify fungal structures.
- Calculation of surface areas for haustoria and intracellular hyphae.
Main Results:
- Haustoria were found in mesophyll, bundle sheath, and epidermal cells, but not in vascular tissues.
- Each infected cell contained 1.2–2 haustoria, with approximately 10^4 haustoria per colony.
- Calculated surface areas indicated sufficient hexose uptake capacity through these cells.
Conclusions:
- Puccinia hordei haustoria are strategically located for nutrient absorption from barley leaf cells.
- The surface area of haustoria is adequate to meet the fungus's metabolic demands.
