Histopathological changes induced by either Root - Knot or spiral nematedes on banana roots

ABSTRACT

Cross and longitudinal sections in roots of banana cv. Williams infected by either Meloidogyne incognita or Helicotylenchus dihystera showed that the histological alterations induced in roots infected with M. incognita were displayed by the giant cell formation in both cortical and stelar regions. The giant cells were, always, in clusters each containing 3-6 cells. Roots infected with H. dihystera showed small brown lesions around the penetratedsites in the cortical layer causing considerable cell wall damage. The walls of the invaded cells by the nematodes were heavily stained with safranine indicating the presence of lignin, while healthy cell walls were lightly stained