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Cytology and Histology

Histopathology of Nodular Tissues of Legumes Infected with Certain Nematodes. K. R. Barker, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27607; R. S. Hussey, Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27607, Present address: Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30602. Phytopathology 66:851-855. Accepted for publication 12 January 1976. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-851.

The histopathology of nodules on greenhouse-grown soybean, garden pea, and peanut infected with each of Meloidogyne incognita (M. hapla on peanut), Pratylenchus penetrans, and Belonolaimus longicaudatus was investigated. Meloidogyne spp. developed more readily within nodules of soybean than within those of the other legumes. Meloidogyne incognita was generally found inside vascular bundles in soybean nodules; this parasite did not alter the structural integrity of soybean nodules, but bacteroids did not develop adjacent to nematodes and infected nodules deteriorated earlier than noninfected nodules. Many giant cells in soybean nodules and all giant cells in Wando pea tissues had the morphological characteristics of transfer cells. Nodule development was suppressed on Wando pea, and many deteriorated prematurely. Few M. hapla were observed in nodules of peanut, and little damage was evident when nematodes invaded tissue adjacent to nodules. Pratylenchus penetrans was limited to the cortex of soybean and peanut nodules, but readily entered nodules of Wando pea. Damage caused by B. longicaudatus on soybean and peanut was limited mainly to cortical tissues. This pest caused premature senescence of nodules on garden pea.