Infection process of Bipolaris maydis on Maize leaves

Abstract

Maydis leaf blight, caused by Bipolaris maydis, is a serious foliar disease of maize distributed widely throughout the world and causing significant yield losses. The study aimed to describe stages of the infection process of B. maydis on maize leaves. The adaxial surfaces of maize leaves were inoculated with a conidial suspension of B. maydis and leaf samples were collected from 24 to 120 hrs after inoculation (hai). At 24 hai, the germ tubes from the germinated conidia and fungal hyphae attempted to penetrate the leaf through the stomata. These results provide new insight into the infection process of B. maydis on maize leaves and may contribute to the development of more effective management of maydis leaf blight.