Endogenous Elicitor Activity from Damaged Carrot Root Tissue and Induced Resistance to Botrytis cinerea

A peptide-containing fraction (mol. wt. c 5000 Da) extractedfrom carrot root tissues damaged by slicing or freeze-thawing,induced active defence mechanisms in carrot slices against Botrytiscinerea. Endogenous elicitor activity was present in homogenatesof fresh and freeze-thawed tissues and those treated with germinationfluid, but was absent in autoclaved tissue. The detection ofthe elicitor in homogenates within 2h of treatment, suggeststhat it is released or activated during the early stages ofcell damage. Botrytis cinerea, carrot, induced resistance, endogenous elicitor