Light and electron microscopy studies on the infection of tomato fruits by Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

A light microscopy study of the host–parasite relationship of Botrytis cinerea on immature tomato fruits was combined with an electron microscopy examination. Both techniques indicate that the cuticle is dissolved enzymatically rather than ruptured mechanically. Inter- and intracellular hyphae have no apparent effect on the cuticle, but do break down wall material. If the penetration tube development is arrested after emerging from the cuticle into the wall, wall discolouration and wall thickening become evident and a considerable increase in host cell organelles below the penetration site is observed. A papilla is also apposited. At successful penetration, when the hypha emerges from the cell wall into the host cell, little cell wall discolouration at the infection site is evident, but the cytoplasm becomes degenerate. Further hyphal extension then occurs in the epidermis, killing more epidermal cells, and leading to collapse, but not penetration, of underlying tissue.

Histopathology of the initial stages of the interaction between rose flowers and Botrytis cinerea

“…Ramification of infection hyphae of B. cinerea within the outer periclinal cell wall has been reported for leaves of onion (Clark and Lorbeer, 1976) and broad bean (Mansfield and Richardson, 1981) and for tomato fruits (Rijkenberg et al, 1980). The growth of hyphae in and between epidermal and mesophyll cells of rose petals resulted in a local collapse of these cells and formation of a crater covered by the cuticle.…”

Botrytis cinerea Endopolygalacturonase Genes Are Differentially Expressed in Various Plant Tissues

“…The fungus is often regarded as a wound pathogen that may penetrate through wounds or natural openings (Staples and Mayer, 1994). However, penetration of the plant epidermis using appressorium-like bodies has also been reported (Rijkenberg et al, 1980). Cell wall degradation is often observed during the initial steps of pathogenesis and has been suggested to be instrumental in penetration (Mansfield and Richardson, 1981).…”

Partial stem and leaf resistance against the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea in wild relatives of tomato

“…Tomato fruit may display symptoms of primary, non-expanding lesions referred to as ghost spot (Verhoeff, 1970). The interaction of B. cinerea with tomato has been thoroughly investigated (Benito, ten Have, van't Klooster, & van Kan, 1998;Diaz, ten Have, & van Kan, 2002;Rijkenberg, de Leeuw, & Verhoeff, 1980;ten Have, Mulder, Visser, & and van Kan, 1998). A number of studies indicate that the species S. lycopersicum may possess a (low) level of quantitative resistance to B. cinerea.…”