Penetration and growth of compatible and incompatible races of Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae in soybean hypocotyl tissues differing in age

Intact 6-day old soybean hypocotyls (Glycine max L., cv. Altona) were inoculated with zoospores of Phytophthora megasperma Drechs. var. sojae Hildeb. either at the top (susceptible to compatible races, resistant to incompatible races) or the bottom (resistant to both compatible and incompatible races) and, after a 22-h incubation, were examined by light microscopy. Penetration at the top and bottom by both compatible (race 6) and incompatible (race 4) P. megasperma var. sojae was predominantly between anticlinal walls of epidermal cells. Both races, but especially race 4, also penetrated directly into the outer walls of epidermal cells, but epidermal cells rarely were invaded. Both races grew mainly intercellularly, but race 6 produced haustoria more frequently than race 4. Race 6 haustoria at the top of the hypocotyl were usually encased, those of race 4 were not. Growth of both races was equally dense in the first few cell layers, but the numbers of race 4 hyphae decreased rapidly while those of race 6 became more abundant in the deeper layers. With race 4, but not with race 6, most cells in the infected tissue were necrotic. Differences between the compatible and the incompatible interactions were not absolute; there were many unsuccessful invasion attempts by race 6 and individual hyphae of race 4 spread deeply into the tissue. At the bottom of the hypocotyl, growth of both races was more restricted. Race 6 produced fewer haustoria than at the top, and similarities to the incompatible reaction with race 4 at the top suggest that similar mechanisms of resistance may be involved.