LOW-TEMPERATURE SEM FOR DETECTION OF FUNGICIDE ACTIVITY

Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM) combined with cryopreparation methods provided images of well-preserved biological surfaces and structures on a routine basis. Fractures of wheat leaves revealed epidermal and parenchymatous cells and masses of fungal hyphae growing in intercellular spaces. Freeze-fractured plant cells contained haustoria of the brown rust fungus Puccinia triticina. Extrahaustorial matrices were clearly distinguishable and at infection sites granular material was found. Activity of the triazole fungicide cyproconazole was mainly directed towards fungal hypae and sporogenic tissue, resulting in a stronger branching and swelling of hyphal tips and collapse of fungal cells. Cryofixation methods combined with the use of a cryopreparation unit (Balzers SCU 020) were more reliable in interpreting the observed biological events through easier discrimination between evidence and artefacts. More advantages in the use of the cryopreparation unit are described in detail.