Cell wall degrading enzyme secretion by Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum

Abstract

Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum causes leaf fall of clove in Sri Lanka and is responsible for the leaf spots of rubber in Malaysia.only one isolate (KP)from four pathogenic isolates examined secreted polygalacturanase(PG) when grown in liquid media.None ofthe isolates secreted pectin lyase(PL).The extracts of clove and rubber leaf tissues,inoculated with the KP isolate did not show any PG and PL activity .The leaf tissue did not have the ability to ingibit c.quinqueseptatum PG produced in culture.All isolates of C.quinquesepltatum secreted cellulases viz.cellobiase and b-glucosidase in culture.cellobiase was detected in the inoculated rubber leaves,The levels of B-glucosidase,an ingerent enzyme of Hevea leaves,also increased rapidly following infection.The results indicate that pectic enxymes play a minimal or no role in disease developmet of C.quinqueseptatum infecton in cloves and Hevea.Thus cellulolyic enzyme probably play a nutritive role.