Characterization of infection sites of Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard & Suggs in different maize genotypes (Zea mays L.), based upon plant defense mechanisms

Author(s)

Jose Renato Stangarlin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 1996-01-26
• Advisor: Sergio Florentino Pascholati

Abstract

Northen leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum is one of the most important diseases in maize plants. The progress of this tropical disease occurs mainly by increases in lesion size instead of numbers. Lesions, which exhibit variable characteristics depending upon the host-parasite interaction, represent the infection sites. Thus, the present work was carried out to characterize these infection sites on maize leaves based on structural and biochemical defense mechanisms as well as to study these mechanisms in resistant and susceptible plants to E. turcicum. The maize inbreds F64A e F352, susceptible and resistant to E. turcicum, respectively, were grown in growth chambers under a photoperiod of 14 h of light at 25°C. After 14 days, the 4th leaf of each plant was inoculated with a conidium suspension (1x104 spores/ml) of the pathogen grown on LCH media. Leaf tissue was sampled at different time intervals during the first 48 h after inoculation, in order to follow fungal development and lignification in the tissue. Samples were also obtained 12 days after inoculation to measure the amount of phenolic compounds, and activities of β-1,3 glucanase, chitinase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, besides the activity and electrophoretic pattern of peroxidases in the tissues. These tissue samples were also used to test for the presence of fungitoxic compounds through in vitro bioassays and to determine the amount of fungal biomass inside the leaf using ergosterol analysis. The results showed that in the resistant maize inbred, the infection site (called "primary infection site") was represented by chlorotic spots due to the penetration and growth of the fungus in the xylem vessels and restricted colonization of the mesophyll cells around it. The restriction of fungal colonization was accompanied by host tissue lignification, increases in phenolic compounds and high β-1,3 glucanase and chitinase activities. In the susceptible inbred there were two types of infection sites. The first one, the primary infection site, was represented by chlorotic spots, due to pathogen penetration and colonization of the xylem vessels, resulting in moderate β-1,3 glucanase and chitinase activities. After the formation of the primary infection site, the pathogen kept growing inside the xylem vessels and was able to heavly colonize the mesophyll tissue far away from the penetration area, given rise to the "secondary infection site" characterized by the production of necrotic lesions, exhibiting increases in the content of phenolic compounds and moderate activity of β-1,3 glucanase and chitinase. (AU)