Ultrastructural Changes in Leaf Tissues of Populusdeltoides spp. angulata Ait. Infected with Poplar Mosaic Virus

Ultrastructural observations on the foliar cells of Populusdeltoides spp. angulata Ait. infected by poplar mosaic virus revealed a high content of virus particles in the cytoplasm of most but not all young cells from chlorotic areas. Mature cells from necrotic areas contained far fewer virions while in symptomless green portions no virions were observed. Virus particles were not found in mature sieve elements or in mature nonliving xylem cells.Changes in the cytoplasm and in chloroplasts were followed. Healthy, mature chloroplasts contained well developed thylakoid systems. In infected cells, a disintegrative process at necrotization resulted in the dissolution of the thylakoid system into individual electron dense sacs which were released when the chloroplast membrane dissolved. Cytoplasmic changes were characterized by increased vacuolation. Cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and vesiculate bodies were also more numerous. Necrotization was accompanied by dissolution of the cell organelles.