Histochemical changes during conidiogenic germination of sclerotia of Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

Conidiogenic germination of sclerotia of Botrytis cinerea was examined histochemically. During germination reserves of protein, glycogen, and polyphosphate disappeared from medullary hyphae, and the hyphal walls and intercellular matrix of β-glucans disintegrated. Cell breakdown commenced in the centre of sclerotia and continued outwards. Microconidia were produced when almost all of the contents of the sclerotia had been removed.