VIEW ARTICLE

Sporadic Development of Ustilago striiformis in Axillary Buds from Stolon Nodes of Perennially Infected Agrostis palustris. Clinton F. Hodges, Assistant Professor of Horticulture and Agronomy, Departments of Horticulture and Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames 50010; Phytopathology 61:940-942. Accepted for publication 5 March 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-940.

Axillary buds from stripe-smutted and control stolons of Agrostis palustris were observed for survival and growth on 12 organ culture media. Three media consisting of inorganic salts, dextrose and/or levulose, and gibberellic acid supported satisfactory bud growth. Growth of axillary buds from stripe-smutted stolons established that infection of axillary buds by Ustilago striiformis var. agrostidis was sporadic. Of the stolons produced on all media by surviving axillary buds from stripe-smutted plants, 56% were healthy. It was hypothesized that infection of axillary buds by U. striiformis var. agrostidis was subject to loss of apical dominance in stolons.