Development of Colletotrichum acutatum in the Foliar Tissue of Strawberry Plants

Abstract

Strawberry anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, is one of the most destructive disease of this crop throughout the world. Assymptomatic stages in the plant have been the aim of this work. Inoculated leaves samples were taken at different times and they were processed for scanner electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Conidial development on both surfaces leaves was determined. The ultrastructural study of fungus penetration into plant cell was characterized by the formation of vesicles over the fungus periphery and is a morphological parameter of the intense membranes traffic, also could be a evidence of a transcriptional activity and enzymatic cell secretion. Differences of symptoms on both surfaces of leaves were observed.