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Effects of Endophytic Infection by Fusarium moniliforme on Corn Growth and Cellular Morphology

Kernels of corn, Zea mays, were inoculated with Fusarium moniliforme to analyze seedling growth and development during endophytic, symptomless infection. In planta F. moniliforme distribution and seedling growth, expressed as shoot diameter, plant height, leaf length, and dry weight, were examined weekly for 28 days after planting. Even though no visible disease symptoms developed, F. moniliforme was isolated from most segments taken from seedlings grown from inoculated, but not noninoculated, kernels from the earliest to the latest sampling. F. moniliforme did not alter the rate or percentage of kernel germination, but seedlings grown from inoculated kernels had suppressed shoot diameter, plant height, leaf length, and plant weight 7 days after planting. However, seedling growth from inoculated kernels was similar to or greater than that from noninoculated kernels at 28 days. Histological modifications in seedlings grown from inoculated kernels included accelerated lignin deposition in shoots and modified chloroplast orientation in leaves. In summary, gross morphology and histology were altered in corn seedlings during symptomless, endophytic infection by F. moniliforme.