Differential Induction of Phenylpropanoid Metabolites in Suspension-Cultured Cells of Sugarcane by Fungal Elicitors

Abstract

The effect of elicitors isolated from the mycelial walls of Colletotrichum falcatum (the red rot pathogen of sugarcane) and from C. lindemuthianum (a non-pathogen) in suspension-cultured cells of sugarcane was studied. Both the elicitors induced the synthesis of enzymes of the phenyl­propanoid pathway such as PAL, TAL and 4CL and also resulted in the enhanced accumulation of phenolics. However, a specific induction of the defense parameters at higher levels was recorded in suspension cells treated with the pathogen elicitor and no such differential response was observed in the case of the non-pathogen elicitor. Elicitor induced necrosis and browning of cells were observed which suggests an additional evidence that elicitors simulate pathogen infection and thus provide a valuable reason that study on elicitor induced responses may be useful in understanding the host defense mechanisms against the red rot pathogen at molecular level