Effect of anthracnose and powdery mildew pathogens on plant morphology

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annum) crop suffers very severely due to the infection of Anthracnose (Colletotrichum
capsici) and powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) leading to malformation of plant parts with heavy yield
losses. Hence, it was aimed to find out the anatomical changes occur due to the infection by these
pathogens. The observations on the microtomy sections of leaves and fruits infected by C. capsici
revealed thickening of cell wall with dense and granular cytoplasm. The epidermal cells and cortical
parenchyma were collapsed and larger cavities were also seen. Large numbers of small vacuoles were
also observed in the cytoplasam. Infected cells become black and both inter cellular fungal cells were
present in the infected cells. The xylem vessels were also thickened and both proto and metaxylem were
plugged with mycelial network. The microtomy sections of plant samples infected with L. taurica showed
the collapse of epidermal cells, disruption of mesophyll and guard cells. The infected section of the plant
showed more fungal invasion which was absent in the healthy.