Ultrastructural studies onVicia fabaand its pathogenBotrytis fabaein response to lithium chloride

Abstract

Ultrastructural investigations of the effect of lithium chloride on Botrytis fabae and its host, Vicia faba are described. Five concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 mM) of lithium chloride are chosen in the study. The results indicate that the chlorophyll content of host leaves is not affected at lower concentration (3 mM), whereas the higher concentration (9 mM) decreased the chlorophyll content. These two concentrations caused a pronounced cellular disorganization of B. fabae that ranged from disruption of the wall to marked cytoplasmic degeneration. Inoculated host leaves with B. fabae led to the appearance of more vacuolated cytoplasm, a disorganized membrane system of chloroplast and an increase in number of plastoglobuli. These observations are similar to those of host cells treated with 9 mM of lithium chloride. Host cells are not affected by the concentration of 3 mM. Ultarstructural studies indicate that the lower concentration of lithium chloride can be used as a safe fungicide to control B. fabae without a harmful effect on the host (V. faba).