Compatible and Incompatible Reactions of Melampsora Rust on Willow Leaves

Spore germination, growth and appresssoria formation for Melampsora willow rust were studied for compatible and incompatible hosts to elucidate penetration specificity and prehaustorial events in the infection process. Rust originating from Salix dasyclados was inoculated on a compatible (S. dasyclados) and an incompatible (Salix daphnoides) clone and, for comparison, on the non-host plants tomato, tobacco and poplar. The same experimental procedure was also carried out for rust originating from poplar. Rust development was followed for 5 days at 20 h intervals using a microscope with fluorescent equipment. The study showed that the Melampsora rust can develop on, and penetrate, the leaf regardless of whether the rust was inoculated on compatible or incompatible willow plants. However, the fungus was able to infect and reproduce itself only in compatible interactions. For willow rust in the prehaustorial stage, the study indicated that specific recognition mechanisms were unnecessary to start the infection process.