VIEW ARTICLE

An Ultrastructural Study of Syncytium Development In Soybean Roots Infected with Heterodera glycines. Ilene Gipson, Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701; K. S. Kim(2), and R. D. Riggs(3). (2)(3)Research Associate, and Professor, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. Phytopathology 61:347-353. Accepted for publication 16 October 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-347.

Syncytium formation in Lee soybean roots infected with Heterodera glycines was studied using the electron microscope at 42 hr, 4, 7, and 15 days after inoculation. Cell wall perforations appeared to be responsible for syncytium formation. Abnormal perforations in cell walls were noticeable within 42 hr after inoculation. The size of the perforation increased with time after inoculation. At 15 days, component cells were no longer distinguishable. Vacuoles decreased in size with increasing age of syncytium, indicating that an increase in cytoplasm replaced the central vacuole. Plastids were abundant in early stages of syncytium formation, and decreased in number at later stages. Endoplasmic reticulumlike material increased with age of the syncytium, and was arranged in a parallel manner in older syncytia.