Tova Arzee and Yehudit Cohen
Avocado fruit is often attacked during softening by Diplodia natalensis, which causes stem-end rot. The pedicel anatomy and the localization of the fungal mycelium in various tissues were studied in artificially inoculated pedicels. Mycelium was found to be present in most tissues of the pedicel. Vessel elements of the pedicel seem to serve as the main route of fungal penetration. In the vessels the mycelium advances mainly via perforation plates and to some extent through pits. The intrusion into fibers, sclereids, and parenchyma cells is similarly through pits. The anatomy of the pedicel and that of the stem were compared.
Tova Arzee and Yehudit Cohen
Avocado fruit is often attacked during softening by Diplodia natalensis, which causes stem-end rot. The pedicel anatomy and the localization of the fungal mycelium in various tissues were studied in artificially inoculated pedicels. Mycelium was found to be present in most tissues of the pedicel. Vessel elements of the pedicel seem to serve as the main route of fungal penetration. In the vessels the mycelium advances mainly via perforation plates and to some extent through pits. The intrusion into fibers, sclereids, and parenchyma cells is similarly through pits. The anatomy of the pedicel and that of the stem were compared.