Stages of <i>Sclerotinia</i> pathogenesis.

<p>Early steps of infection create a reducing environment that dampens host defense responses and inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS). This allows the fungal pathogen to establish and damage host tissues with cell wall degradative enzymes (CWDE). When eventual apoptotic cascades are induced, recognition occurs but too late for the host plant to prevail. (adapted from <a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1003402#ppat.1003402-Kabbage1" target="_blank">[143]</a>).