Premium
Biochemical and histological studies on susceptible and resistant maize leaves infected by Helminthosporium maydis
Author(s) -
ANGRASHARMA R.,
SHARMA D. K.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.928
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-3059
pISSN - 0032-0862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3059.1994.tb01646.x
Subject(s) - biology , callose , host (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , germ tube , pathogen , virulence , staining , botany , biochemistry , cell wall , spore , gene , ecology , genetics
Biochemical, histological and fluorescent microscopy studies were conducted on susceptible and resistant maize leaves infected with Helminthosporium maydis. Histochemical observations revealed the presence of proteins, lipids, lignins and phenolics; tannins, however, were absent. Biochemical examination showed high levels of protein and phenolic compounds in the resistant variety compared with the susceptible host. The levels of lipids were, however, lower in the resistant host, and decreased with time of incubation of the host–pathogen complex. Aniline blue gave a high fluorescence intensity for the host at the germ tube and infection site for the resistant variety compared with the susceptible variety, indicating a greater quantity of callose in the infected tissue. The rate of increase in carbohydrates in the infected susceptible host was less than in the infected resistant host. This suggests that the infection is restricted from progressing further in the resistant variety. Higher levels of proteins, lignins, phenolics and callose synthesized in the resistant variety may play a role in inhibiting the infection.