Anatomy of sporosori of Polymyxa graminis, the vector of Indian peanut clump virus, in roots of Sorghum bicolor

• Published in: Canadian journal of plant pathology Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 281 - 288
• Main Authors: Littlefield, L.J, Delfosse, P, Whallon, J.H, Hassan, Z.M, Sherwood, J.L, Reddy, D.V.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.09.1997
• Subjects: descriptions; disease vectors; fungal anatomy; fungal spores; peanut clump furovirus; Polymyxa graminis; Sorghum bicolor; ultrastructure
• ISSN: 0706-0661; 1715-2992
• DOI: 10.1080/07060669709500524

Anatomical studies of Polymyxa graminis, the vector of West African and Indian peanut clump virus (IPCV), have been limited. Light, laser confocal, and in situ scanning electron microscopy were used to study mature or nearly mature sporosori of the vector in roots of Sorghum bicolor. Large numbers of sporosori occurred in host tissue, including the epidermis, cortical parenchyma, and endodermis, sometimes almost filling host cells. In cross-sections of sporosori, 10-40 individual, closely aggregated resting spores were typically observed. In three-dimensions, sporosori frequently appeared to contain up to several hundred resting spores. Resting spores appeared to form by cleavage of sporogenic plasmodia; mature resting spores were approximately 4-7 micrometers in diameter. Resting spores became more spherical as they matured, and angular spaces developed in the interstices between many of the resting spores within sporosori. The amount of apparent space between resting spores within sporosori appeared different when examined by laser confocal compared to in situ scanning electron microscopy.