Abstract
The structure and development of tissues in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) root tips colonized by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. were contrasted with those of uninoculated root tips. Within 2 days of inoculation hyphae had penetrated the root cap without eliciting any wall appositions in the root cap cells. Callose-like deposits were found along the walls of protodermal cells bordering the colonized cap cells. Overall, colonized root tips had lost their meristematic appearance owing to increased vacuolation in the cells. In contrast to the normal longitudinal course of primary vascular differentiation, in infected root tips the protoxylem matured in advance of the protophloem. Fifteen days after inoculation the root tips had lapsed into maturity. The endodermis and exodermis extended completely around what was once the apical meristem. Although the xylem had differentiated to within several cell layers of the colonized apex, xylem infection had not occurred in this region. Sieve elements in colonized root tips failed to develop sieve-plate pores.
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