Potato blight fungus (Phytophthora infestans) Science Image

Ref: 13153



Potato blight on leaf. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the potato blight fungus Phytophthora infestans, emerging from a potato leaf. Here, sporangiophores are seen growing from the lip-like stomata on the underside of the leaf. Sporangiophores are hyphae, or filaments, which carry sporangia. Leaf hairs, or trichomes, are the large green/yellow structures. The first widespread infection of commercial importance was in 1845, when most of Europe suffered decimated potato crops due to blight. Prevention of blight depends on spraying with fungicide and selective breeding. Magnification: x550 at 4.5x10" size.