A cytological and ultrastructural study on the maturation and germination of oospores of Plasmopara viticola from overwintering vine leaves.

Observations on cytological and ultrastructural changes in Plasmopara viticola oospores were carried out during the overwintering period. Three types of oospores were observed. Type I, characterized by a thin inner oospore wall (IOW), large lipid globules and two nuclei, was recovered only in samples collected in October. These oospores were considered to be immature. Maturation occurred during November and involved a noticeable increase in thickness of the IOW, fusion of nuclei, formation of an ooplast and break up of large lipid globules into smaller ones (type II oospores). A few oospores (type III) showed abnormal organization with very large lipid globules and less frequently discernib…