OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHLAMYDOSPORE GERMINATION OF ENTYLOMA VIGNAE, THE CAUSAL AGENT DE COWPEA SMUT 1

lected from the infected leaves of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Waip.) were germinated and produced nonseptate promyceia of variable length. The promycelium was characterized by branching at the distal end bearing clusters of 10 to 20 primary sporidia. The adjacent compatible primary sporidia exhibited fusion ia pairs forming typical II- shaped structures. The secondary infective mycelium inducing leal lesions had originated from the fused primary sporidia. The myceliuni in the culture produced clusters of chlamydospores which were nonpathogenic