Early events in living epidermal cells of cowpea and broad bean during infection with basidiospores of the cowpea rust fungus

The infection process of basidiospores of the cowpea rust fungus (Uromyces vignae) was studied on living host (Vigna sinensis) and nonhost (Vicia faba) leaves using light microscopy with differential interference contrast optics. During the first 8 h, fungal development was similar on host and on nonhost leaves. Penetration and production of intraepidermal vesicles occurred in nonhost cells 4 h earlier than in host cells. Penetration frequency was also higher in nonhost leaves. These results suggest that the cuticle of the cowpea plant delays basidiospore infection. Both host and nonhost cells produced cytoplasmic aggregates during appressorium formation and again, a few hours later, during penetration of the epidermal cell wall. Cytoplasmic aggregates were also observed in cells adjacent to a collapsing cell. Papillae were observed at most infection sites in both host and nonhost cells. The nuclei of infected cells migrated towards the penetration site in both plant–pathogen combinations. Nuclear size in...