VIEW ARTICLE

The Effect of Benzimidazole, Cholesterol, and a Steroid Inhibitor on Leaf Sterols and Ozone Resistance of Bean. R. A. Spotts, Former Graduate Assistant, 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, Ohio 44691; F. L. Lukezic(2), and N. L. Lacasse(3). (2)(3)Associate Professor, and Former Associate Professor, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802. Phytopathology 65:45-49. Accepted for publication 22 July 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-45.

Experiments were performed to measure the effect of ozone and benzimidazole on the cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol content of pinto bean leaves and to determine if ozone resistance in bean could be correlated with the level of individual sterols. Ozone at 0.25 µliters/liter caused a decrease in the concentration of cholesterol but not campesterol, stigmasterol, or β-sitosterol. Pretreatment with benzimidazole did not prevent the cholesterol decrease. Benzimidazole did increase the cholesterol content of nonozonated plants and of ozonated plants 48 hours after exposure. Pretreatment with cholesterol protected plants against ozone damage. Pretreatment with a steroid inhibitor increased the susceptibility of plants to ozone. This evidence suggests that cholesterol may be a factor in ozone resistance of bean.