Comparative Study on the Anatomy of Some Diseased and Healthy Plants:- Okeke Chiemelie C

ABSTRACT

Anatomical sections of matured plant parts (leaves and stems) from healthy and jdiseased potato, cassava, pumpkin and okro were studied. This study was carried [out to compare the anatomy of the healthy and diseased plants. Anatomical isections of the stems, leaves and epidermis were done using free-hand sections. (Results show considerable difference between the anatomy of the healthy and ~diseased plant parts. The following anatomical characteristics of the diseased [plants were observed: i) abnormal darkening of contents of parenchyma cells, ii) I ,, hypertrophy and hyperplasia, iii) granulation of cell contents, iv) death of cells, v) 1 cracking and sloughing of necrotic tissue, vi)more sinuosity, vii) thick walled cells i of cortex viii) less stomata. All these reactions occurred in the cortical tissues of j the diseased leaves and stems. Some hypertrophy and necrosis were observed in i the phloem.