Cinétique de l'infection de plants d'Heveabrasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss) Mull. Arg. par Rigidoporuslignosus (Kl.) Imazeki

Abstract

Using an artificial inoculation technique, a kinetic infection study of Heveabrasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss) Mull. Arg. by Rigidoporuslignosus (Kl.) Imazeki has shown the existence of a three-stage infection process: (i) a particularly fast contamination stage. After 15 days of exposure, all plants showed rhizomorphs to be present on taproots; (ii) the spread of epiphytic mycelium all over taproots is associated with numerous punctual penetrations allowing tissue invasion and infection. Beginning at the apex, a rot develops and progresses upward; in less than 3 months, it affects nearly 40% of the invaded plants' taproot. In response to this, the host develops reaction mechanisms which become evident at the cellular level and on the entire plant; and (iii) at this time, a state of equilibrium is reached between the host and the parasite which is shown through a stagnant disease progress. The efficiency of the various host reactions observed in the plants is discussed. [Journal translation]