The Life Cycle and Ultrastructure of the Host Response of the Smut Pathogen Anthracocystis destruens on Broomcorn Millet
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Published on: January 3, 2014
Enguo Wu1, Long Liu1, Mingqi Zhu2
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Abstract:
Broomcorn millet smut caused by the fungus Anthracocystis destruens is one of the most destructive diseases in broomcorn millet production. The life cycle of A. destruens and host defense responses against A. destruens remain elusive. Here we investigated the disease symptom development and the parasitic process of A. destruens as well as the ultrastructure of the host-pathogen interface. The results showed that there are four typical symptoms of broomcorn millet smut, which are blackfly, cluster leaves, hedgehog head, and incomplete fruiting. A. destruens colonizes all tissues of broomcorn millet but produces teliospores only in the inflorescence. After infection, A. destruens proliferates in the host, likely in a systemic manner. Ultrastructural study of the infected inflorescence showed that the pathogen grows intercellularly and intracellularly within the host. The host activates defense response to prevent pathogen infection, accumulation of callose analogs and highly electron-dense deposits to resist A. destruens infection.
Insights
Broomcorn millet smut, caused by the fungus Anthracocystis destruens, devastates crops. This study details its symptoms, parasitic process, and host defenses, revealing how the fungus infects millet and how plants resist this destructive disease.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Broomcorn millet smut, caused by Anthracocystis destruens, is a major threat to broomcorn millet production.
- The life cycle and host interaction mechanisms of A. destruens are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the disease symptom development of broomcorn millet smut.
- To elucidate the parasitic process and host-pathogen interface ultrastructure of A. destruens.
Main Methods:
- Observation of disease symptoms in infected broomcorn millet.
- Microscopic analysis of A. destruens colonization and host-pathogen interactions.
- Ultrastructural studies of infected plant tissues.
Main Results:
- Identified four key symptoms: blackfly, cluster leaves, hedgehog head, and incomplete fruiting.
- A. destruens colonizes all plant tissues, producing teliospores exclusively in the inflorescence.
- The fungus exhibits systemic proliferation, growing both intercellularly and intracellularly within the host.
- Host plants activate defense mechanisms, including callose analog and electron-dense deposit accumulation.
Conclusions:
- A. destruens causes significant damage to broomcorn millet through systemic infection.
- Host defense responses involve structural barriers to impede fungal growth.
- Further research into the A. destruens life cycle and host resistance is warranted.
