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The cytology of phytophthora infestans

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Summary

Phytophthora infestans has three kinds of somatic nuclei: an oval shaped nucleus (approx. 3.1×2.7 μ) which stains diffusely except for a crescent shaped Feulgen positive “cap” which stains intensely; a “granular” nucleus whose contents are organized into a fairly constant number of stained bodies, and, a deeply staining “condensed” nucleus. The “capped” nucleus is thought to be “metabolic” or “resting” and the “granular” nucleus is thought to be dividing as it is most commonly found in hyphal tips. Attenuated forms of all three kinds of nuclei are found.

Nuclear division is mitotic and intranuclear. Eight—ten chromosomes are seen at metaphase.

Sporangia have a mean of 6.3 nuclei which is constant for age and strain of culture. Sporangia become multinucleate as a result of nuclear migration and not by division in the developing sporangium. Zoospores are usually uninucleate.

The nuclear “cap” is persistent throughout nuclear division when it also divides. It is associated with flagella production and nuclear migration and has some of the properties of a “blepharoplast”.

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  1. John Innes Institute, Bayfordbury, Hertford, Herts, UK

    G. E. Marks

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  1. G. E. Marks
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Marks, G.E. The cytology of phytophthora infestans. Chromosoma 16, 681–692 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285117

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