Histopathology of Pythium infected strawberry roots

Abstract

Host–parasite interactions between eight Pythium species, previously isolated from necrotic strawberry root tissue, and Fragaria × ananassa Duch. runner plant main roots were studied. When excised roots were placed in water on petri dish cultures, P. rostratum and P. hypogenum infection was limited to the root tip epidermis. Pythium irregulare, P. perniciosum, P. dissotocum, P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum, and unidentified isolate 1E penetrated the epidermis several centimeters along the zone of maturation. Penetration occurred most frequently through root hairs by hyphae; resulting infections usually stopped in the epidermis or adjacent cortex, and here hyphae formed sporangium-like structures, oogonia, and oospores. Extensive cortical infection by hyphae was primarily limited to the zone of elongation. Extent of epidermal and cortical infection in roots grown in soil with P. irregulare, P. dissotocum, and P. sylvaticum was similar to petri dish test results. Stelar infection by P. sylvaticum and P. dissotocum occurred mainly in phloem cells, but did not advance far into the region of maturation. Numerous oogonia formed in infected steles and usually in adjacent cortical cells. Infected roots ranged from a white to grey, water-soaked color. Extensively infected root tips typically were unhealthy, succulent, and thin.