ISHS Acta Horticulturae 808: II International Symposium on Tomato Diseases
POLLEN RESPONSE TO BOTRYTIS CINEREA INFECTION OF TOMATO |
| Authors: | I. Georgieva, R. Rodeva |
| Keywords: | gray mould, Lycopersicon esculentum, metabolic changes, oxireductases, hydrolases, phenolic compounds |
| Abstract:
The stress factors during the pollen development and shedding could negatively affect plant reproduction and yield. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is one of many crops infected by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. The metabolic changes occurring in tomato pollen after B. cinerea inoculation were investigated cytochemically. The examination covered the alterations in activities of enzymes taking part in various pathways of aerobic and anaerobic glucose degradation and basic metabolism as well as of some enzymes that play a specific role in stress responses. The pollen viability assessed by fluorochromatic reaction (FCR) test showed drastic reduction. The fungal infection was associated with decreased activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxydase and acid phosphatase. The enhanced peroxidase activity was established consistent with the role of this enzyme in plant defense response. Beta glucosidase activity also arose but not significantly. The percentage of pollen grains with positive reaction for total phenolic compounds as well as of pollen grains containing flavonoids and flavonols increased dramatically. The results showed that the B. cinerea invasion induced considerable disturbances in the pollen metabolism leading to decreased viability. | |
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