Phytoalexin Production by Carnation in Response to a Crude Cell Wall Preparation of Fusarium Oxysporum f.sp. Dianthi Race 2

Abstract

Wilt disease of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is caused by the vascular pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi. Due the polygenic nature of the resistance of the plant to race 2 of this pathogen (Fod2) a range of cultivars can be found with varying resistance levels. Part of the plant defence probably resides in the production of phenolic compounds; some of which possess fungistatic properties (phytoalexins). Previously it has been shown that the capacity of carnation cultivars to produce phenolic compounds in response to infection with Fod2 correlates with the level of resistance to this fungus. Here we address the question to the role of cell wall components of Fod2 in the elicitation of the synthesis of these phenolic compounds in planta.