Alteration of tissues of two varieties of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) by Curvularia lunata

Abstract

Investigations on the alteration of tissues of two varieties of sweet potato (TIS 8700878 and TIS 8600356), incited by

Curvularia lunata was carried out. Inoculated and uninoculated head, middle, and tail regions of sweet potato were treated, sectioned weekly for five weeks and photomicrographs taken. The plates revealed massive cell wall macerations and depletion of starch grains in the three regions of sweet potato assessed. Less damage was evident in the head region especially after one week of infection when compared with the middle and tail regions. There was general progressive tissue destruction and starch grains depletion from one to five weeks after inoculation with the pathogen. Appreciable tissue maceration was evident from the photomicrograph sections, particularly in the tail regions where there was total tissue breakdown and collapse of cell wall boundaries.