VIEW ARTICLE

The Effect of Benzimidazole on Some Membrane Properties Of Ozonated Pinto Bean. R. A. Spotts, Former Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, Present address of senior author: Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691; F. L. Lukezic(2), and R. H. Hamilton(3). (2)(3)Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Professor, Department of Biology, respectively, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. Phytopathology 65:39-45. Accepted for publication 22 July 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-39.

The mechanism of benzimidazole-induced resistance against ozone damage was investigated using bean (cultivar Pinto 111) plants grown under controlled conditions. Water flux, water potential, electrolyte leakage, and osmotic potential measurements were made immediately and 48 hours after ozonation. Benzimidazole treatment alone increased water efflux of plants, water influx of ozonated plants, and appeared to increase the calculated hydraulic conductivity for these fluxes. Benzimidazole also decreased electrolyte leakage and had no effect on osmotic potential or water potential. Benzimidazole prevented the immediate ozone-induced electrolyte leakage, increased water potential, and decreased osmotic potential. It is proposed that benzimidazole changes some structural component of plant cell membranes.