The role of phenols in the pathogenicity of Botrytis allii

G. Kritzman*, I. Chet

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship between Botrytis allii and onion bulbs was studied in the greenhouse and the field. Germinating conidia or growing mycelium in nutrient solution, water, or in the plant tissue secreted pectinases and polyphenol oxidase. These pectinases were found to be inhibited by phenol compounds and their low oxidation products but not by polyphenols. Pretreatment of onion bulbs or seedlings with catechol (O-dihydroxybenzene), catechol + tannic acid, or phenyl-thiocarbamide increased the plant concentrations of phenols and decreased the disease incidence. Fungal polyphenol oxidase polymerizes the inhibitory plant phenols and neutralizes their effects. Phenylthiocarbamide inhibits polyphenol oxidase activity in the plant, resulting in inhibition of fungal attack.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-37
Number of pages11
JournalPhytoparasitica
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1980

Keywords

  • Interaction
  • onion, bulb

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