VIEW ARTICLE

Cytology and Histology

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Cotton Boll Invasion by Diplodia gossypina. J. P. Snow, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; M. G. Sachdev, Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Phytopathology 67:589-591. . Copyright © 1977 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-67-589.

Diplodia gossypina readily entered cotton bolls (Gossypium hirsutum) of various ages. Penetration was achieved in three ways: directly through wax and epidermal layers on the surface of the boll, directly through unwaxed multicellular epidermal hairs, and through open stomata. Invasion occurred through open stomata of bolls 20 days or older. Direct penetration of wax, epidermal cells, and epidermal hairs was observed in surface views and cross sections of bolls of all ages studied.