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Histopathology of Marasmius Blight of American Beachgrass. Tyler B. Warren, Former Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27607; L. T. Lucas, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27607. Phytopathology 63:725-728. Accepted for publication 20 December 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-725.

Hyphae of a Basidiomycete were found in internal tissues of diseased plants of American beachgrass, and parenchymatous tissues were apparently destroyed by the invading fungus. In addition to mycelium, the xylem vessel elements contained a gum or tanninlike substance. The mycelium of isolates from the basidiocarps of the Marasmius sp., associated with diseased plants, appeared to be the same as that of the fungus isolated from diseased tissues. The distribution of mycelium in cross-and longitudinal sections of beachgrass plants, grown and inoculated under sterile conditions, was similar to that of naturally infected plants.