Pathogenesis mechanism of Pestalotiopsis funerea toxin (Pf-toxin) on the plasmalemma of needle cells of different pine species

Abstract

The Pf-toxin (C₅H₁₁O₅N) has been genetically associated with the pathogenesis mechanism in plasmalemma cells of pine needles in previous reports. In this study, a toxin was obtained from Pestalotiopsis funerea (called Pf- toxin) by concentrating and column chromatography. Responses of the needles of eight pine species against the toxin were investigated. The O_2- production rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, fatty acid composition, relative conductivity, and lesion length of the needles were determined. The severest damage and lipid peroxidation were exhibited by the needle plasmalemma of Pinus massoniana, Pinus yunnanensis, and Pinus tabuliformis. Pinus elliottii and Pinus taeda followed. Pinus armandi, Pinus radiata and Pinus thunbergii came last. The resistance capability of resistant species against the Pf-toxin precedes that of susceptible species.

Keywords: Pestalotiopsis funerea, Pestalotia needle blight, Pinus, resistance.

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 11(29), pp. 7397-7407, 10 April, 2012