XVI International Botanical Congess

Using cryo techniques for light, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, we have studied Magnaporthe grisea conidial hydration and adhesion, germ tube growth and differentiation, appressorium form and function, and penetration peg structure. Many new aspects of the process leading to rice blast disease have been identified, some of which may be common among related plant pathogens. Current efforts are aimed toward affinity probe localization of specific gene products (virulence factors, for example) within intact host tissues via confocal laser scanning microscopy.