A novel inoculation method of Magnaporthe grisea for cytological observation of the infection process using intact leaf sheaths of rice plants

A novel inoculation method of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea using intact leaf sheaths of rice plants, designated as the intact method, was devised to observe the cytological events in living tissues during infection. In leaf sheaths inoculated by using the intact method, the symptoms closely resembled those occurring in inoculated plants, and progressive steps of fungal invasion and cellular changes could be observed by microscopy. Significantly, a cellular resistant reaction was observed in a susceptible line, with cell death preventing fungal development. This inoculation procedure provides a useful technique for cytological investigations of rice-pathogen interactions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.