Conidial release in pyricularia penniseti

Abstract

Conidiophores and conidia of Pyricularia penniseti Prasada and Goyal undergo violent hygroscopic movements when transferred from humid to dry atmosphere. The conidia are detached and dispersed forcibly from the conidiophores as a result of these movements. Although the conidia are not projected to long distances, the forcible detachment facilitates further removal by air currents to hasten secondary infection of the younger host leaves in succession. © 1973 S. Karger AG, Basel.