Adhesion of Fungi to the Plant Surface

Abstract

The initial process of attachment of fungal propagules to a host plant is essential to the successful establishment of pathogenesis. Attachment may be involved in recognition of the host surface, serve as a base around which the infection court can be altered, and may include adhesion of the propagule. It was considered initially that attachment was purely a chance event resulting from physical entrapment of the propagule or germling. We know now that attachment involves an active process of secretion of adhesive materials by the fungus that in some cases are highly specific for the recognition of, and binding to, a particular host species. Adhesive production may occur at a specific stage of conidium or germling development, but may best be considered a general phenomenon for the establishment of the fungus prior to penetration.