Chalara elegal-Infected Tobacco Roots: Ultrastructural Observations on in vitro Host-Fungus Relationships

Evidence, based on ultrastructural observations of stages involved in root infection oi Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi n.c. in vitro by the black root rot fungus Chalara elegans, indicates that host cells from various layers react differently when challenged by the pathogenic fungus. All the host responses observed were associated with host cell wall modifications. Host reaction to fungal invasion occurring in the epidermal cells was limited to a disorganization of the cytoplasm. In the hypodermal cell layer, fibrillar cell wall outgrowths and wall thickenings were the earliest and the most obvious host reactions. In parenchymal cells, the host reacted by depositing papilla-like wall appositions directly adjacent to the infecting hyphae; with secondary infection of these cells, a densely staining material was laid down, mainly around the distal region of the infecting hyphae. In all these tissues, infection also led to disorganization of the host cytoplasm. Colonization of the endodermis did not lead to any rapid lethal modifications in either the host or the fungus, and a biotrophic-like state seemed to occur at this stage of the infection. No hyphal infection occurred in the central cylinder.     

Observations on the Responses of Lentil Root Cells to Hyphae of Fusarium oxysporum

The infection of lentil roots by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht and the responses of the host cells to invading hyphae were examined by light microscopy. Hyphae from inoculum placed on the zone of cell elongation entered the roots at the juncture of epidermal cells within 8 h after inoculation. Although swollen hyphal apices were observed on the epidermal cells, root penetration occurred without formation of these structures or appressoria. The sheath of material found on the surface of uninoculated roots was absent from inoculated roots penetrated by hyphae. Prior to penetration, the epidermal cells became irregular in shape and their cytoplasm appeared to be plasmolysed or granular. Hyphae were observed in the cortex 10—12 h after inoculation and non–penetrated cortical cells were distinctly lobate. Often these lobed cells had a broad, peripheral band of diffuse cytoplasm. When hyphae were first observed in the cortical cells, the walls were ruptured and only slightly stained or unstained by toluidine blue. The inability of such walls to bind the stain may have been the result of the removal of wall components by fungal enzymes. Although extensive proliferation of hyphae was evident throughout the cortex after 24 h of incubation, the endodermis and vascular cylinder were free of hyphae for at least 72 h. Hyphae from inoculum placed on the root hairs or the root apex failed to penetrate the roots during the first 24 h of incubation. The cytological results herein are discussed in relation to the infection of field plantings by this pathogen.     

Structure and Development of the Endophyte in the Parasitic Angiosperm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cuscuta japonica</Emphasis>

The endophyte, that is, the haustorial part within the tissues of the host plant Impatiens balsamina, of the parasitic angiosperm Cuscuta japonica was studied with light and electron microscopy. The endophyte consisted mainly of vacuolated parenchymatous axial cells and elongate, superficial (epidermal) cells. Then the elongate, epidermal cells separated from each other and transformed into filamentous cells, called searching hyphae. The hyphae grew independently either intercellularly or intracellularly in the host parenchyma. The apical end of the hyphal cells was characterized by conspicuous, large nuclei with enlarged nucleoli and very dense cytoplasm with abundant organelles, suggesting that the hyphal cells penetrating host tissue were metabolically very active. Numerous osmiophilic particles and chloroplasts were noted in the hyphae. The osmiophilic particles were assumed to be associated with elongation of the growing hyphe. Plasmodemata connections between the searching hyphal cells of the parasite and the host parenchyma cells were not detected. Hyphal cells that reached the host xylem differentiated into water-conducting xylic hyphae by thickening of the secondary walls. A xylem bridge connecting the parasite and the host was confirmed from serial sections. Some hyphal cells that reached the host phloem differentiated into nutrient-conducting phloic hyphae. Phloic hyphae had a thin layer of peripheral cytoplasm with typical features of sieve-tube members in autotrophic angiosperms, i.e., parallel arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and plastids with starch granules. Interspecific open connections via the sieve pores of the host sieve elements and plasmodesmata of the parasite phloic hyphae were very rarely observed, indicating that the symplastic translocation of assimilate to the parasite from the host occurred.     

Light and Electron Microscopy of the Compatible Interaction Between Arabidopsis and the Downy Mildew Pathogen Peronospora parasitica

In this study, we focused on compatible interactions between Peronospora parasitica isolate Emoy‐2 and wild‐type (Oy‐0) and mutant (Ws‐eds1) Arabidopsis thaliana accessions by using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Light microscopy of compatible interactions revealed that conidia germinated and penetrated through the anticlinal cell walls of two epidermal cells. Rapid spreading of the hyphal growth with formation of numerous haustoria within the mesophyll cells was subsequently followed by profuse sporulation in the absence of host cell necrosis on both wild‐type and mutant accessions. TEM observations revealed that coenocytic intercellular hyphae ramified and spread intercellularly throughout the host tissue forming several haustoria in host mesophyll cells. Intracellular haustoria were lobed with the diameter of 6–7 μm. Each haustorium was connected to intercellular hyphae in the absence of apparent haustorial neck. The cytoplasm of the haustorium included the organelles characteristic of the pathogen. Callose‐like deposits were frequently observed at sites of penetration around the proximal region of the haustorial neck. Apart from a few callose ensheatments, no obvious response was observed in host cells following formation of haustoria. Most of mesophyll cells contained normal haustoria and the host cytoplasm displayed a high degree of structural integrity. Absence of host cell wall alteration and cell death in penetrated host cell of both accessions suggest that the pathogen exerts considerable control over basic cellular processes and in this respect, response to this biotroph oomycete differs considerably from responses to other pathogens such as necrotrophs.     

Mode of Infection of Ascochyta Blight of Chickpea Caused by Ascochyta rabiei

Process of infection and histological changes with Ascochyta blight of chickpea caused by A. rabiei (Pass.) Labr. were studied by light microscopy. Germ tubes from conidia of the fungus penetrate the stem tissue at the juncture of two epidermal cells and form subepidermal aggregates until the fourth day. On the sixth day, yellowing and necrotisation of host tissue coincides with formation of mature pycnidia. Fungus causes extensive damage to cellulosic cell walls of parenchymatous cortical and pith tissues in advance of invading hyphae indicating involvement of cell wall degrading enzymes. Lignified tissues, particularly xylem tracheary elements, remain intact.     

The infection process ofFusarium oxysporum in cotton root tips

Summary Conidia ofFusarium oxysporum f. sp.vasinfectum started to germinate on the roots of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) 6 h after inoculation and formed a compact mycelium covering the root surface. 18 h later, penetration hyphae branched off and infected the root. The number of penetration hyphae increased with the number of conidia used for inoculation. The optimal temperature for penetration was between 28 and 30 °C. The highest numbers of penetration hyphae were found in the meristematic zone, 40 percent less in the elongation and root hair zones, and none in the lateral root zone. The fine structure of the infection process was studied in protodermal cells of the meristematic zone and in rhizodermal cells of the elongation zone. The penetration hyphae were well preserved after freeze substitution and showed a Golgi equivalent consisting of three populations of smooth cisternae. Plant reactions were found already during fungal growth on the root surface. In the meristematic zone, a thickening of the plant cell wall due to an apposition of dark and lightly staining material below the hyphae occurred. This wall apposition increased in size around the hypha invading the plant cell and led to the formation of a prominent wall apposition with finger-like projections into the host cytoplasm. In the elongation zone, the deposits around the penetration hypha appeared less thick and the dark inclusions were less pronounced. High pressure freezing of infected cells revealed, thatF. oxysporum penetrates and grows within the host cells without inducing damages such as plasmolysis, cell degeneration or even host necrosis. We suggest thatF. oxysporum has an endophytic or biotrophic phase during colonization of the root tips.Abbreviation Ph penetration hyphae     

Epidermal derivatives as xylem elements and transfer cells: a study of the host-parasite interface in two species of Triphysaria (Scrophulariaceae)

Summary Haustoria ofTriphysaria pusilla andT. versicolor subsp.faucibarbata from a natural habitat were analysed by light and electron microscopy. The keel-shaped edge of the secondary haustorium generally splits the epidermis and cortex of the host root parallel to the root axis, and penetrates to the host vascular tissue. Anticlinally elongated epidermal cells of the haustorium constitute most of the host/parasite interface. Some of these epidermal cells are divided by oblique cell walls. Some of their oblique daughter cells as well as some undivided epidermal cells differentiate into xylem elements. Single epidermal cells occasionally intrude into the vascular tissue of the host and individual host cells can be invaded. The surface area of the plasmalemma in parasitic parenchymatous interface cells is increased by the differentiation of wall labyrinths characteristic of transfer cells and by the development of membrane-lined cytoplasmic tubules or flattened sacs which become embedded in the partly lignified interface cell-wall. Mycorrhizal fungal hyphae enter the xylem bridge in some haustoria. Implications of these observations for the function of the haustorium are discussed.     

Oxalic Acid Has an Additional,Detoxifying Function in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Pathogenesis

The mechanism of the diseases caused by the necrotroph plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is not well understood. To investigate the role of oxalic acid during infection high resolution, light-, scanning-, transmission electron microscopy and various histochemical staining methods were used. Our inoculation method allowed us to follow degradation of host plant tissue around single hyphae and to observe the reaction of host cells in direct contact with single invading hyphae. After penetration the outer epidermal cell wall matrix appeared degraded around subcuticular hyphae (12-24 hpi). Calcium oxalate crystals were detected in advanced (36-48 hpi) and late (72 hpi) infection stages, but not in early stages. In early infection stages, surprisingly, no toxic effect of oxalic acid eventually secreted by S. sclerotiorum was observed. As oxalic acid is a common metabolite in plants, we propose that attacked host cells are able to metabolize oxalic acid in the early infection stage and translocate it to their vacuoles where it is stored as calcium oxalate. The effects, observed on healthy tissue upon external application of oxalic acid to non-infected, living tissue and cell wall degradation of dead host cells starting at the inner side of the walls support this idea. The results indicate that oxalic acid concentrations in the early stage of infection stay below the toxic level. In plant and fungi oxalic acid/calcium oxalate plays an important role in calcium regulation. Oxalic acid likely could quench calcium ions released during cell wall breakdown to protect growing hyphae from toxic calcium concentrations in the infection area. As calcium antimonate-precipitates were found in vesicles of young hyphae, we propose that calcium is translocated to the older parts of hyphae and detoxified by building non-toxic, stable oxalate crystals. We propose an infection model where oxalic acid plays a detoxifying role in late infection stages.     

Studies on turfgrass snow mold caused byTyphula ishikariensis. II. Microscopical observation of infected bentgrass leaves

Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed thatTyphula ishikariensis penetrated into bentgrass leaves either through cuticles or stomata either by single hyphae or infection cushions formed on host surfaces. Time course study on infected leaves showed that penetration through stomatal subsidiary cells and their adjacent cells seemed to occur earlier than that through epidermal cells located farther from stomata. More than 30% of epidermal cells were infected by 10 days after inoculation. When hyphae penetrated through an intact cuticle of epidermal cells, they seemed to dissolve host cell walls enzymatically at penetration sites. Physical pressure also seemed to be involved in penetration.     

Cytological Study of Wheat Spike Infection by Bipolaris sorokiniana

The infection of wheat spikelets by Bipolaris sorokiniana , the causal agent of black point on grains and grain shrivelling, was examined by light and electron microscopy. Conidia of the pathogen germinated 6–12 h after inoculation on the surfaces of the different spike tissues. Extracellular sheaths were observed on germ tubes and appressoria attached to the surfaces of lemma, palea and seeds, but were only scarcely detected on the surface of conidia. Appressoria, frequently found over grooves, formed penetration hyphae invading the epidermal cell walls. Infection process was similar on the surface of the lemma, palea and glume. Growth of the fungus in the epidermal and parenchyma cells was found predominantly in the cell walls, and hyphae also extended intercellularly and intracellularly. Infection of seeds appeared to occur via two ways: (i) direct infection of the outer layers of the cell walls of the pericarp and (ii) through entering the stigma into the pericarp cells. Secretion of host cell wall hydrolytic enzymes at the apex of the penetrating hyphae may facilitate the spread of the fungus. In addition, toxins secreted by the fungus might explain the rapid death of host cells in contact with or distant to fungal cells. A host response to fungal infection involved the development of appositions between cell wall and plasma membrane in cells adjacent to fungal cells. Fungal hyphae were sometimes also surrounded by electron dense material.     

The influence of culture conditions on mycorrhiza formation between the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus sp. and Afzelia africana Sm. seedlings

Interactions between an isolate of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus sp. and Afzelia africana Sm. seedlings were studied at the structural and ultrastructural levels. Several different conditions were tested with or without sugar and in a sterile or nonsterile medium. In the growth cabinet, the A. africana/Pisolithus sp. interactions did not produce ectomycorrhizas. A fungal sheath was formed but no Hartig net, and an unusual host epidermal cell wall was observed. Hyphae of Pisolithus sp. induced modifications of epidermal cells of 15-day-old A. africana seedlings indicative of non-mycorrhizal interactions, such as wall thickening, wall ingrowth, papillae formation, degraded host wall material and the presence of intracellular hyphae. Wall ingrowth consisted of depositions of host cell wall materials giving a positive reaction for polysaccharides; however, wall thickenings and papillae showed no homogeneous reactions for polysaccharides. In glasshouse conditions, inocula of Pisolithus sp. in the form of spores or mycelia entrapped in peat-vermiculite added to sterilized soil produced typical ectomycorrhizae only with 6-month-old A. africana seedlings. Under these conditions, no conspicuous cell wall reactions occurred on A. africana roots. The results demonstrate that the establishment of an association between an ectomycorrhizal fungus and a potential host plant is strongly influenced by seedling age and/or environmental conditions. Therefore, in vitro synthesis is not a conclusive demonstration of a symbiotic relationship.     

Anatomical study on the interaction between the root endophytic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heteroconium chaetospira</Emphasis> and Chinese cabbage

Chinese cabbage roots colonized by the dematiaceous fungal taxon Heteroconium chaetospira were previously found to become highly resistant to clubroot and Verticillium yellows. The dematiaceous fungus possesses an endophytic nature, but no detailed anatomical studies on endophyte–host plant interactions have so far been provided. Light and electron microscopy revealed that hyphae of H. chaetospira were abundant on and inside the root epidermal cells by 3 weeks following inoculation. The penetration pegs easily breached into epidermal cells, and the infection hyphae penetrated into cortical cells. Some appressorium-like swollen structures formed from intracellular hyphae, but no visible degradation of the host cell walls was evident where the hyphae contacted. No visible signs of host reactions and no invagination of the host plasma membrane around the hyphae were seen in the host cells. By 8 weeks following inoculation, masses of closely packed fungal cells had been formed in some cells of the epidermis and cortical layers, but further hyphal ingress was halted, mostly in the inner cortical cell layer. Thus, root vascular cylinders remained intact.     

Cytological studies on rust fungi. (vi) fine structures of infection process of Kuehneola japonica (diet.) dietel

The behavior of rust fungi in their host plants has been elucidated by electron microscopy. However, most of the ultrastructural studies on rust fungi have focused on the uredial stage. In order to elucidate the features of the sporidial stage, we studied the fine structure of Kuehneola japonica, a short-cycle rust, in rose leaves. Infection pegs arising from appressoria penetrated the host walls. Papillae formed at the time of penetration against the outer epidermal cell walls. The papillae which had formed at the penetration sites grew extensively and partially surrounded the intracellular hyphae which were connected with the infection pegs. The intracellular hyphae in the epidermal cells developed further and entered adjacent parenchyma cells. Walls of parenchyma cells either invaginated or thin papillae formed at penetration sites and the invaginated walls or papillae surrounded the necks of the intracellular hyphae. Intracellular hyphae in both epidermal and parenchyma cells were not enveloped by the sheath before 20 days after inoculation. In specimens prepared 20 days after inoculation, some of the intracellular hyphae were enveloped by a sheath in both palisade and spongy parenchyma cells. The sheathed hyphae resembled haustoria of other rust fungi which had been described previously. Teliospore initials were formed in mycelial masses in intercellular spaces between the epidermal cells and palisade parenchyma cells 20 days after inoculation. Uninucleate teliospores developed from teliospore initials 30 days after inoculation.Contribution No. 32.     

柿树炭疽菌侵染寄主的细胞学研究*

超微结构研究表明,柿树炭疽菌(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)侵染后在寄主细胞中形成初生菌丝和次生菌丝,寄主细胞膜外沉积了一层厚的电子不透明物质,初生菌丝与具有沉积物的寄主原生质膜之间有一层界面基质(interfacial matrix)。当初生菌丝扩张并侵染相邻细胞时, 围绕着初生菌丝层的界面基质消失,具有沉积物的原生质膜被逐步降解。初生菌丝在穿透寄主细胞壁过程中形成一个漏斗状的菌丝锥,然后穿透寄主细胞壁并迅速膨大, 然后形成厚壁的初生菌丝。初生菌丝在寄主细胞壁中收缩狭窄处产生一个隔膜,隔膜两边菌丝中细胞质的电子密度明显不同,菌丝锥中有浓密的电子密度。死体营养的次生菌丝在死的细胞中繁殖和扩展,并产生分枝。次生菌丝可直接穿透较薄的寄主细胞壁,无缢缩或任何变形现象,菌丝顶端部分未见隔膜产生;在穿透较厚的细胞壁时,靠近顶端处产生隔膜,顶端细胞膨大,使寄主细胞壁撕裂。接种90h后分生孢子盘在枝条表面形成。柿树炭疽菌其侵染过程有两个阶段,即初生菌丝的活体营养阶段和次生菌丝的死体营养阶段。     

Formation of structures resembling ericoid mycorrhizas by the root endophytic fungus Heteroconium chaetospira within roots of Rhododendron obtusum var. kaempferi

A resynthesis study was conducted to clarify the relationship between the root endophyte, Heteroconium chaetospira and the ericaceous plant, Rhododendron obtusum var. kaempferi. The host plant roots were recovered 2 months after inoculation, and the infection process and colonization pattern of the fungus were observed under a microscope. The hyphae of H. chaetospira developed structures resembling ericoid mycorrhizas, such as hyphal coils within the host epidermal cells. These structures were morphologically the same as previously reported ericoid mycorrhizal structures. The frequencies of hyphal coils within the epidermal cells of host roots ranged from 13 to 20%. H. chaetospira did not promote or reduce host plant growth. This is the first reported study that H. chaetospira is able to form structures resembling mycorrhizas within the roots of ericaceous plants.     

Cytology and ultrastructure of interactions between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ustilago esculenta</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zizania latifolia</Emphasis>

Ustilago esculenta is a biotrophic smut fungus that parasitizes Zizania latifolia, an edible aquatic vegetable of the southern China region. Infection results in swelling of the upper parts of the Z. latifolia culm which are called jiaobai and have a unique flavor and delicacy and are popular among Chinese. The infection process of Z. latifolia by U. esculenta was investigated with light and electron microscopy. Distribution of hyphae was uneven in plants; hyphae were mainly present in the swollen upper parts (jiaobai), the nodal regions of mature culms and old rhizomes and buds or shoots. Hyphae were rare in the internodes of mature culms and were fewer in the internodes of old rhizomes. All new buds produced on the nodes of culms and rhizomes were infected by hyphae in November before and in March after overwintering. The hyphae grew into the buds from the parent nodes via intervascular tissues only or via parenchyma tissues and vascular bundles. Hyphae extended within and between the host cells and frequently formed hyphal aggregations or clusters, not only in the mature tissues but also in developing tissues. The typical interface between the fungal hyphal wall and invaginated host plasma membrane comprised a sheath. The sheath surrounding a hyphae comprised an outer electron-opaque matrix and an inner electron-dense layer. The electron-opaque matrix layers were thicker in jiaobai tissues, ranging from 0.28 to 0.85 μm. The electron-dense hyphal coatings were more conspicuous in the young buds or shoots and mature culms than in the jiaobai. The intercellular hyphae caused large cavity formation between the cells or rupture of host cell walls, for gaining entry into host cells. The broken host cell wall fused with the electron-opaque matrix of the hyphal sheath as an interactive interface. The teliospore wall and wall ornamentation development was the same in postmature jiaobai tissues with sporadic sori and in the huijiao (jiaobai tissues containing the massive sori), but a sheath enveloping the teliospore was more transparent in the process of teliospore development in the jiaobai than in the huijiao.     

马铃薯对晚疫病水平抗性的组织细胞学观察

以马铃薯晚疫病水平抗性品种LBr-12和感病品种费乌瑞它为材料,采用普通光学和电子显微镜技术,系统研究了马铃薯与晚疫病菌(致病疫霉)互作的组织细胞学反应特征。观察结果显示:(1)接种后,水平抗性材料LBr-12出现过敏反应,病菌被限制在侵染点的几个细胞中,菌丝产生较少的分支和吸器。(2)感病品种费乌瑞它被侵染细胞呈蔓延趋势,菌丝产生较多的分支和吸器。(3)电镜观察发现,抗病品种上病菌的胞间菌丝、吸器母细胞、吸器在细胞和亚细胞水平均发生了一系列异常变化,包括原生质的电子致密度加深、液泡增多变大、菌丝细胞壁不规则增厚、细胞器排列紊乱及解体、吸器母细胞及吸器形态异常、病菌最终畸形坏死,同时发现抗病品种受病菌侵染时可迅速产生结构防卫反应,形成的细胞壁沉积物使胞壁极度增厚或细胞膜上产生乳突状结构。     

小麦雪霉叶枯病菌侵染过程的细胞学研究

采用电镜技术研究了小麦雪霉叶枯病菌(Gerlachia nivalis)侵染过程的细胞学特征。电镜观察发现,分生孢子萌发产生的芽管由孢子细胞壁内层延伸而成;病菌侵入寄主体内后,胞间菌丝先在寄主细胞间扩展,随后胞间菌丝侵入坏死的寄主细胞,形成胞内菌丝;胞间菌丝和胞内菌丝在形态结构上无明显差异。在病菌扩展过程中,寄主细胞发生了一系列的病理变化,并最终坏死消解,寄主细胞的变化可能与病菌分泌的毒素有关。     

葡萄座腔菌Botryosphaeria dothidea侵染及其对苹果果实影响的组织细胞学研究

利用光镜和电镜技术系统研究了苹果轮纹病菌葡萄座腔菌在成熟果实上的侵染扩展过程及其细胞学特征。扫描电镜观察发现,接种后3h位于皮孔处的分生孢子开始萌发,萌发后的孢子从一端或两端产生芽管直接侵入皮孔细胞,接种后9h完成侵入。30d后果面接种部位表现症状,45d后产生子实体。对接种部位取样进行光镜和透射电镜观察发现,病菌菌丝主要存在于寄主细胞壁、细胞内、细胞间隙及细胞壁与细胞膜之间。菌丝呈丝状,分枝,具隔膜。菌丝细胞内含有细胞核、线粒体、液泡等细胞器;菌丝外散发出一些高电子密度的颗粒物质,这些物质以菌丝为中心,呈放射状分布。病菌在果肉细胞生长扩展过程中,果肉细胞发生一系列变化。果肉细胞壁膨胀、变形,胞间层分离、破裂。与菌丝接触或相邻的果肉细胞细胞壁电子致密度降低,被降解成为如散发状的胞壁纤维束丝。果肉细胞的液泡破裂,质壁分离,细胞质凝结坏死并沉积于细胞壁周围,或通过受损的细胞壁胞间连丝从一个细胞转移到另一个细胞。后期菌丝在表皮下聚集生长、发育成分生孢子器。分生孢子器内壁细胞排列紧密,细胞中含有由数条丝状物平行排列而成的细胞器。该细胞器形状多样,周围总是分布着丰富的脂肪粒,推测可能与营养的运输与积累有关。     

Stomata and plasmodesmata

Summary In developing epidermal tissue ofPhaseolus vulgare L. complete plasmodesmatal connections occurred between guard cells and epidermal cells and between sister guard cells of a stoma but they were not seen in fully differentiated tissue. However, incomplete, aborted plasmodesmata were occasionally seen in the common guard/epidermal cell wall, usually connected to the epidermal cell protoplast, in mature tissue. Plasmodesmatal connections between neighbouring epidermal cells were commonly observed in tissue at all stages of development. In all locations, the plasmodesmata were usually unbranched occurring singly or in small pit fields; very rarely branched, incomplete plasmodesmata were also seen in the wall between mature guard and epidermal cells. The significance of these findings were related to stomatal functioning and to the development of plasmodesmata in general.