Studies on the infection process of Fusarium culmorum in wheat spikes: Degradation of host cell wall components and localization of trichothecene toxins in infected tissue

After single spikelet inoculation, the infection process of Fusarium culmorum and spread of fungal hyphae in the spike tissues were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. While hyphal growth on outer surfaces of the spike was scanty and no successful penetration was observed, the fungus developed a dense mycelium on the inner surfaces and effectively invaded the lemma, glume, palea and ovary by penetration pegs. During the inter- and intracellular spreading of the fungus, marked alterations in the host tissues were observed, including degeneration of cytoplasm, cell organelles, and depositions of electron dense material between cell wall and plasmalemma. Ultrastructural studies revealed that host cell walls in proximity of the penetration peg and in contact with hyphae were less dense or transparent which suggested that cell wall degrading enzymes were involved in colonisation of host tissues by fungal hyphae. Enzyme- and immunogold-labelling investigations confirmed involvement of extracellular enzymes, that is cellulases, xylanases and pectinases, in degradation of cell wall components. Localization studies of trichothecenes indicated that toxins could be detected in host tissues at an early stage of infection.