The development of lignitubers in roots after infection by Verticillium dahliae Kleb.

Abstract

Hyphae of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. penetrated the roots of tomato and pea seedlings and induced the deposition of lignitubers between the host plasmalemma and cell wall. Lignitubers prevented further colonization by the fungus which underwent protoplasmic lysis within the lignituber. Evidence is also presented to suggest that lignituber formation results from the extrusion of vesicles by the host.