VIEW ARTICLE

Physiology and Biochemistry

Elicitors of Terpenoid Accumulation in Potato Tuber Slices. N. Lisker, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506; J. Kuć, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506. Phytopathology 67:1356-1359. Accepted for publication 19 May 1977. Copyright © 1977 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-67-1356.

Autoclaved sonicates of the Oomycetes, Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora parasitica, Pythium aphanidermatum, Achlya flagellata, and Aphanomyces euteiches elicited the accumulation of rishitin and lubimin in potato tuber slices. Slices inoculated with a zoospore suspension of P. infestans or mycelial fragments of P. aphanidermatum, A. flagellata, and A. euteiches also accumulated the phytoalexins. Spore suspensions of Helminthosporium carbonum, H. victoriae, and Colletotrichum lagenarium, but not autoclaved sonicates of spores and mycelia, elicited accumulation of the terpenoids. The following elicited little or no accumulation of the terpenoids: all other fungi or their sonicates; three bacteria, either live or after being heated at 65 C for 20 min.; tissue of tomato, potato, cucumber, and bean; 15 carbohydrates; nine lipids; two saponins, and poly-L-lysine. Among the lipids, L-α-phosphatidyl choline, but not L-α-lysophosphatidyl choline, elicited extensive browning of tuber slices. Glucans from three Phytophthora spp. elicited the accumulation of low levels of the terpenoids.