Elicitor–like Substances Present in Barley and Wheat Seeds

Abstract Barley and wheat seeds contain elicitor–like substances which induce the production of antifungal substances in the host plants effective against powdery mildew fungi. Seed extract per se does not exhibit direct antimicrobial activity but induces the resistance response on the host. It also induces the systemic resistance in juvenile leaves. Host resistance induced by the treatment with seed extract shows some degree of cultivar specificity.