Abstract
The relationship between susceptibility to black pod disease and activity of peroxidases in crude extracts and soluble phenols and saccharides contents was studied in the pod cortex and in the seeds of three cacao clones: SNK413 (lowly susceptible), SNK10 (highly susceptible) and ICS95 (mildly susceptible) and in the F1 (SNK413×SNK10) and the F′1 (SNK10×SNK413) progeny. Phenol content and peroxidase activity in seeds increased as the pods matured; they were not the same in the proximal, middle and distal parts within the same pod at maturity. This variation could be correlated to the stage of development of the seeds. Total soluble saccharides and ketohexoses in the pod cortex did not vary significantly from one clone to another and could not be related to the susceptibility of the pods. Nevertheless, their contents were 2 to 4 times less in the F1 and F′1 progeny. Total soluble phenols, flavanol and hydroxycinnamic derivatives in the pod cortex were higher in the SNK413 clone. Hydroxycinnamic derivatives were not detected in the SNK10 clone and this character was transmitted to the progeny when SNK10 was male (F1 progeny). Phenolic cornpounds decreased in the F1 and F′1 progeny. These results suggest that phenolic compounds and peroxidase activity could be correlated to the susceptibility of cacao clones to black pod disease and that crossing two clones of different susceptibility produces hybrids with lower phenols and saccharides contents which may be responsible for their poor tolerance to black pod disease.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- D.M.:
-
dry mass
- F.M.:
-
fresh mass
- POD:
-
peroxidase activity
- SPOD:
-
specific peroxidase activity
- SPh:
-
total soluble phenols
References
Ashwell, G.: Colorimetric analysis of saccharides.—In: Colowick, S.P., Kaplan, N.O. (ed.): Methods in Enzymology, Vol. III. Pp. 73–105. Academic Press, New York 1957.
Barz, W., Bless, W., Börger-Papendorf, G., Gunia, W., Mackenbrock, U., Meier, D., Otto, C., Süper, E.: Phytoalexins as part of induced defence reactions in plants: their elicitation, function and metabolism.—In: Chadwick, D.J., Marsh, J. (ed.): Bioactive Compounds from Plants. Pp. 140–153. Wiley, Chichester 1990.
Bastide, P.: Evolution et métabolisme des composés phénoliques des féves de cacao durant leur développement au cours de la croissance et de la maturation du fruit deTheobroma cacao L.— Thèse Doctorat. Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Montpellier 1987.
Blaha, G., Letode, R.: Un critère primordial de sélection du cacaoyer au Cameroun: la résistance à la pourriture brune des cabosses (Phytophthora palmivora).—Café Cacao Thé20: 97–115, 1976.
Blaha, G., Paris, N.: Examen en microscopie électronique de l'aspect externe des cabosses de cacaoyer saines ou infectées parPhytophthora megakarya.—Café Cacao Thé31: 23–34, 1987.
Bradford, M.M.: Rapid and sensitive method for quantification of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding.—Anal. Biochem.72: 248–254, 1976.
Daguenet, G., Parvais, J.P.: Etude comparative de la résistance aPhytophthora palmivora (Butl) de trois espèces du genreTheobroma. Mise en évidence de substances de type phytoalexines responsables de la résistance induite.—Café Cacao Thé25: 181–188, 1981.
Hwang, B.K.: Contents of saccharides, fruit acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds of apple fruits in relation to their susceptibility toBotryosphaeria ribis.—Phytopathol. Z.108: 1–11, 1983.
Jeun, Y.C., Hwang, B.K.: Carbohydrate, amino acid, phenolic and mineral nutrient contents of pepper plants in relation to age-related resistance toPhytophthora capsici.—J. Phytopathol.131: 40–52, 1991.
Luthra, Y.P., Joshi, U.N., Gandhi, S.K., Arora, S.K.: Phenolics, carbohydrates and mineral elements in guar leaves in relation to bacterial blight.—Ann. Biol.5: 1–7, 1989.
Mansfield, J.W.: The role of phytoalexins in disease resistance.—In: Bailey, J.A., Mansfield, J.W. (ed.): Phytoalexins. Pp. 253–288. Blackie and Son, Glasgow 1982.
Matern, U.N., Kneusel, R.E.: Phenolic compounds in plant disease resistance.—Rev. Phytoparasit.16: 153–170, 1988.
Meiffren, M., Tanguy, J.: Sur le rôle des composés phénoliques au cours de l'infection des cabosses deTheobroma cacao L. parPhytophthora palmivora.—Café Cacao Thé11: 337–342, 1967.
Pastil, S.H., Hedge, R.K., Anahosur, K.H.: Role of saccharides and phenols in charcoal rot resistance ofSorghum.—Phytopathol. Z.113: 30–35, 1985.
Singh, R., Aggarwal, A., Bhullar, S.S., Goyal, J.: Import of sucrose and its partitioning in the synthesis of galactomannan and raffinose oligosaccharides in the developing guar (Cyaneopsis tetragonolobus) seed.—J. exp. Bot.41: 101–110, 1990.
Thorpe, A.P., Tran Thanh Van, K.M., Gaspar, T.: Isoperoxidases in epidermal layers of tobacco and changes during organ formationin vitro.—Physiol. Plant.44: 388–394, 1978.
Van Loon, L.C.: Significance of changes in peroxidase in diseased plants.—In: Greppin, H., Penel, C., Thorpe, T. (ed.): Molecular and Physiological Aspects of Plant Peroxidases. Pp. 405–418. University of Geneva, Geneva 1986.
Villeneuve, F., Cros, E., Vincent, J.C.N., Maceix, J.J.: Recherche d'un indice de fermentation du cacao. II. Evolution des flavan-3-ols de la féve.—Café Cacao Thé23: 165–170, 1989.
Wink, M.: Plant breeding: importance of plant secondary metabolites for protection against pathogens and herbivores.—Theor. appl. Genet.75: 225–233, 1988.
Yemm, E.W., Willis, A.J.: The estimation of carbohydrates in plant extracts by anthron.—Biochem. J.57: 508–514, 1954.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ndoumou, D.O., Djocgoue, P.F., Nana, L. et al. Variation and inheritance of peroxidase activity and phenol and saccharide content in cacao in relation to susceptibility to black pod disease. Biol Plant 37, 429–436 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913993
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913993