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Structure of the outer surfaces of sclerotia of certain fungi

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Summary

The surfaces of sclerotia of Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia rolfsii were examined with the Stereoscan electron microscope.

The periphery of the sclerotium of R. solani consists of a loose net-work of hyphae which are not sufficiently thickened to withstand the extreme desiccation that takes place when the material is coated with gold-palladium alloy.

The surface of the sclerotium of B. cinerea has many closely packed hyphal tips which project outwards from the centre of the structure. The thickening of the walls of the hyphae enable them to retain their shapes. A film was observed on the most exposed areas and this may have been dried-up melanin pigment.

The outer skin of the sclerotium of S. rolfsii is an almost continuous layer which is thrown into ridges and troughs to give a wavy appearance.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    H. J. Willetts

  2. School of Botany, University of New South Wales, 2033, Kensington, N.S.W., Australia

    H. J. Willetts

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  1. H. J. Willetts
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Willetts, H.J. Structure of the outer surfaces of sclerotia of certain fungi. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 69, 48–53 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408562

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408562

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