Inoculation Experiments with Nematospora gossypii, Ashby and Nowell1

Abstract

Greenhouse inoculations with pure cultures were made into growing bolls on 8 varieties of cotton. In 43 out of 149 inoculations the fungus grew within the boll and caused staining of the developing hairs by modifying the living contents of the hairs. Infection of immature lint by other fungi and bacteria caused a similar injury. This fungus could not infect mature cotton hairs and unwounded bolls. N. coryli and Spermophthora gossypii were also shown to be wound parasites of the boll.