TEMPERATURE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN THE EXPRESSION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CASSAVA TO COLLETOTRICHUM-GLOEOSPORIOIDES F SP MANIHOTIS

Cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were incubated at 15, 25 or 35 °C after inoculation of green stems with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) f. sp. manihotis Chev. At 25 °C, the cultivar TMS 30211 was less susceptible than the cultivar TMS 30337. At 35 °C, compared to 25 °C, the lesion diameter was reduced in both cultivars, the cassava stem extracts showed an enhanced fungitoxicity, the grem tubes were more sensitive to the stem extracts and a layer of lignified, cells developed earlier around the infected tissues. At 15 °C, the lesions in both cultivars extended more rapidly than at the other temperatures, even though 15 °C, compared to 25 °C, caused a 50% reduction of mycelial growth rate on oat meal agar. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved