Production of cell wall enzymes in pepper seedlings, inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza Glomus etunicatum

Abstract

Pepper seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal AM fungus, Glomus etunicatum, produced cellulase, polygal-acturonase and pectin methylestrase enzymes. The activities of the enzymes increased as the pepper seedlings matured in age, showing that the activity of the enzymes in the seedlings was age mediated. The pectinases showed higher activity than the cellulase enzyme which may indicate establishment of the mycorrhizal in the host. The significance of this finding is that there is an initial infectivity factor in (AM) fungi interactions with plant just like in other host-parasite interaction.


Tanzania Journal of Science Volume 27 (2001), pp. 1-8