Ultrastructure of intercellular hypha and haustorium of the rust fungus, Uromyces euphorbiae

Abstract

The ultrastructure of intercellular hyphae and dikaryotic haustoria of Uromyces euphorbiae, and the host response to haustorial invasion was investigated. The intercellular hyphae share common characteristics with those of other uredinial stages of rust fungi. Three types of septa were recognized inside the intercellular hypha. This study showed that the extrahaustorial membrane was possibly formed before the development of the haustorium. The periodic acid-thiocharbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique showed that the haustorial mother cell wall at the penetration site, and the haustorial wall contained more carbohydrates than other fungal structures. In addition, the neckband, present around the haustorial neck, contains different material from those of the rest of the haustorial neck wall. The close associations of host organelles, such as the nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and microtubules, with the haustorium, is described.