Induction of Defence Responses in Roots and Mesocotyls of Sorghum Seedlings by Inoculation with 'Fusarium thapsinum' and 'F. proliferatum', Wounding and Light

The defence reactions of sorghum seedlings 7 days after inoculation with 'Fusarium thapsinum' and 'F. proliferatum', and interactions with wounding and exposure to light were studied to determine whether responses to these fungi differed from those to abiotic stresses. In non-wounded plants, inoculation with both fungi increased concentrations of anthocyanins and soluble phenolics and activities of peroxidase (POX), chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase in the roots, and increased β-1,3-glucanase activity in the mesocotyls. There was no effect of inoculation on phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. Wounding by itself increased anthocyanin content of mesocotyls. Wounding also had a variety of interactions with inoculation. Exposure to light had very little effect on any defence response measured. A time course experiment showed that induction of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase occurred in less than 24 h after inoculation. POX activity increased 2 days after inoculation, followed by a transient increase in PAL activity. The content of anthocyanins and soluble phenolics in roots of inoculated seedlings increased gradually compared with controls over 6 days. The responses of sorghum seedlings to inoculation with 'F. thapsinum' and 'F. proliferatum' were similar to those found by other workers following challenge by necrotrophic pathogens and were different from those induced by wounding and exposure to light.