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Hypersensitivity as the primary event in resistance to fungal parasites

Abstract

THE hypersensitive reaction of plants to infection by incompatible strains of biotrophic fungi (organisms which, as parasites, derive their nutrients from living tissues1) involves the rapid necrosis of one or more cells at the penetration site, accompanied by restriction of the invading fungus. It is generally believed that this reaction by the host leads to a disruption of nutrient supplies to the fungus and the production of fungitoxic metabolites (for example, phytoalexins), resulting in the cessation of hyphal growth2. This traditional view has, however, been challenged by Brown et al.3 who have suggested that the hypersensitive reaction of wheat to rust fungi is not the cause, but a consequence, of the earlier inhibition or death of the invading fungus. Király et al.4, on the basis of indirect evidence, have extended this suggestion to include the resistance of bean to Uromyces phaseoli (rust) and potato to Phytophthora infestans (blight), and have questioned whether the term ‘hypersensitive reaction’ of hosts in connection with plant resistance has been correctly used in the past. Since this is a continuing debate among plant pathologists, we consider it pertinent to report here information which accords with the traditional view of the significance of the hypersensitive reaction. We show that in the resistance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to incompatible races of the downy mildew fungus Bremia lactucae Regel, death of penetrated host cells is the primary event, preceding the cessation of fungal growth by several hours.

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References

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MACLEAN, D., SARGENT, J., TOMMERUP, I. et al. Hypersensitivity as the primary event in resistance to fungal parasites. Nature 249, 186–187 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249186a0

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