Reduction in the anatomical structure of infected Chrysanthemum morifolium by Puccinia horiana

Abstract

The commercial production of Chrysanthemum morifolium var. Mustika Kaniya in Malino highland, Indonesia, was limited by white rust infection of Puccinia horiana. This study aimed to compare the leaf and stem sections between healthy and naturally infected plants of Chrysanthemum morifolium by Puccinia horiana. The Johansen method was used to make the sections. The data were analysed using Independent Sample t-Test at α = 5%. The results showed that the pustules were protruded on the abaxial of leaf epidermis and comprised of two cells, oblong, and slightly shrivelled at the middle. The infected chrysanthemum showed the reduction in the leaf tissues (lower epidermis, palisade and spongy mesophyll, vascular bundle, and clear parenchyma) compared to the healthy plant and also reduction in the stem tissues (epidermis, cortex, bundle sheath, and pith). The infection of P. horiana in this study caused the deformation of structural change in both leaf and stem of C. morifolium.