VIEW ARTICLE

Histopathology of Blueberry Stems Naturally Infected with Godronia cassandrae. D. P. Weingartner, Former Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, Present address of senior author: Florida Agricultural Research Center, Hastings 32045; E. J. Klos, Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824. Phytopathology 65:1327-1328. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-1327.

Living sections of 1- to 3-year-old highbush blueberry stems naturally infected with Godronia cassandrae were studied microscopically. Initial necrosis occurred in cortical parenchyma and collenchyma immediately beneath stomata. Most rapid hyphal growth was in longitudinal air channels of the cortex. Chloroplasts of cortical parenchyma turned red 15-20 µm in advance of hyphae. In larger lesions most cortical parenchyma was necrotic, filled with opaque deposits, and invaded by hyphae. Wilting was apparently caused by occlusion of vessels with hyphae, various deposits, and possible tyloses.