Histopathology of floral organs of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) as affected by Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld.
Babu A. C. M. K., Rao K. S.
Author Affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidhyanagar, India.
Phyton (Horn) 39 : 239-249
Abstract : The hyphal filaments of Fusarium moniliforme [Gibberella fujikuroi] were found closely associated with the essential organs of flowers from malformed panicles of five different varieties of mango (Mangifera indica): Rajapuri, Kesar, Dadamio, Langra and Amrapali. The pathogen association with floral organs was noticed at the very young stages of bud development. The fungus often occurred in the form of a tuft or thick mat of mycelia in mature buds. In the open flowers of malformed panicles, a thick mycelial mat was often noticed in the basal groove of two anther lobes where the filament connected. In the pistil, the mycelial mat was found along the stylar transmitting tissue and in the ovular chamber. The interaction of pathogen with the pistil and anther at initial stages of their development may lead to the development of malformed panicles. The close association of fungus with the reproductive organs appeared to disrupt the pollination and fertilization mechanisms leading to poor fruit-setting in the malformed panicles.