VIEW ARTICLE

Cytology and Histology

A Histological Study of Anthracnose on Carica papaya. K. F. Chau, Graduate student, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822; A. M. Alvarez, associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822. Phytopathology 73:1113-1116. Accepted for publication 12 February 1983. Copyright 1983 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-73-1113.

The infection process of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on papaya (Carica papaya) fruit was examined via light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Penetration of the cuticle by an infection peg, which was produced by an appressorium, was observed 3-4 days after inoculation. A hypha then formed between the cuticle and the epidermal wall. Mycelium grew intra- and intercellularly, and infected cells eventually separated, collapsed, and formed a sunken lesion that became visible about 5 days after inoculation. The cuticle of the fruit ruptured during the sporulation process.