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Physiology and Biochemistry

Inhibition of Photosynthesis and Transpiration in Soybean Infected by Microsphaera diffusa. Julia S. Mignucci, Department of Plant Pathology and Botany, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801; J. S. Boyer, Department of Plant Pathology and Botany, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. Phytopathology 69:227-230. Accepted for publication 23 August 1978. Copyright 1979 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-69-227.

Net photosynthesis, transpiration, and dark respiration were determined by gas exchange of attached leaves of soybean (Glycine max ‘Harosoy 63’) infected by Microsphaera diffusa, which causes powdery mildew. In this variety, the presence of mycelia was not accompanied by visible host symptoms. By the time 82% of the leaf area was covered by M. diffusa, rates of photosynthesis and transpiration were reduced to less than half those of healthy controls. The diffusive conductivity of the leaf for CO₂ was reduced significantly, but neither internal CO₂ nor leaf porosity was altered by infection. Photosynthesis reduction was not therefore attributed to availability of internal CO₂ nor to reduced stomatal aperture. A decrease in the O₂ concentration to 1% increased net photosynthesis by 1.4 times relative to the rate in normal air (21% O₂), regardless of disease levels. This indicated that increases in rates of light-induced respiration did not account for decreased net photosynthesis. Change in rates of dark respiration were insufficient to affect net photosynthesis. Also, removal of surface mycelia did not increase photosynthesis or transpiration. There was no loss of photosynthetic tissue due to necrosis or early senescence (chlorosis). The lack of respiratory effects, stomatal effects, and changes in internal CO₂ concentration suggest that M. diffusa inhibited photosynthesis at the chloroplast level. Because the fungus was restricted to the epidermis, a translocatable factor produced by the fungus or host may have caused the chloroplast response.