Appressoria of the nematophagous fungus verticillium suchlasporium

Appressoria of the nematophagous fungus Verticillium suchlasporium infecting eggs of the beetroot cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Protoappressoria and mature appressoria were found in both germ tubes and mycelial hyphae, and mucilaginous material was seen where the appressoria contacted the surface of the egg. The role of this material in the penetration of the eggs by the hyphae is discussed.