Formvar membrane laid on artificial medium induces haustorium-like structure formation in powdery mildew fungi

We aimed to develop an artificial membrane system to observe the infection process of the obligate biotrophic powdery mildew fungi without the use of living plant cells. The conidia of Blumeria graminis and Erysiphe pisi conidia were inoculated on a formvar membrane laid on an artificial medium. Germinated conidia frequently formed appressoria and then penetrated the membrane to form haustorium-like structures in the artificial medium. Secondary hyphae elongation was also observed after the formation of haustorium-like structures. These results suggested that the formvar membrane laid on artificial medium induced the formation of haustorium-like structures that have roles in the formation of secondary hyphae.