Characterization of Michigan isolates of Armillaria using endo-polygalacturonase and phenoloxidizing enzymes

Armillaria is a complex genus of basidiomycetes that is composed of both plant pathogenic and saprobic species. How Armillaria species differ in their ability to produce degradative enzymes needed for parasitic and/or saprophytic growth has not been defined by previous research. This study involved...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytopathology 2008-06, Vol.98 (6), p.S202-S202
Main Authors: Hollosy, SI, Hammerschmidt, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Armillaria
Basidiomycetes
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Summary:Armillaria is a complex genus of basidiomycetes that is composed of both plant pathogenic and saprobic species. How Armillaria species differ in their ability to produce degradative enzymes needed for parasitic and/or saprophytic growth has not been defined by previous research. This study involved biochemical characterization of Michigan isolates of Armillaria gathered from orchards and forested areas. Armillaria spp. were grown on various carbon sources and culture filtrates were analyzed for endopectinolytic and phenoloxidizing enzymes. Polygalacturonase (PG) activity was greatest in A. mellea filtrates. A. ostoyae and A. gallica exhibited moderate PG activity. Thus far, laccase has only been detected in A. gallica culture filtrates. Pathogenic species (A. mellea and A. ostoyae) have shown a tendency to produce greater activities of pectinolytic enzymes and less laccase activity than saprobic Armillaria species. These results indicate that there may be a difference in the degradative enzymes produced by pathogenic and sapro-phytic Armillaria species. This information may be helpful in determining those characteristics that are essential for an isolate of Armillaria to be pathogenic.
ISSN:0031-949X