Penetration and infection of <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> by <i>Coniothyrium minitans</i>

Abstract

Coniothyrium minitans is a destructive parasite of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum that kills hyphae and sclerotia. Hyphal tips of the parasite penetrate cell walls of the host without the formation of specialized structures. Host cytoplasm disintegrates and cell walls collapse as a result of infection. Microconidia and intrahyphal hyphae were produced by S. sclerotiorum in infected colonies.