Starch Formation Induced by a Plant Parasitic Nematode

Abstract

This is the first report that a nematode causes plant tissues to produce starch. The formation of starch granules in the syncytial cells of several plant species is induced by Nacobbus batatiformis. The starch, which is associated with the feeding of the nematode, appears within a few days after the animal has become situated in the plant roots and diminishes in amount during nematode reproduction. The starch granules show the usual optical properties.