Induction of β-1,3-Glucanase and Chitinase Activity in Compatible and Incompatible Interactions Between Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Bean Cultivars

Inoculation of different bean cultivars with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum race β results in a marked increase of β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities. The increase is much faster in incompatible than in compatible interactions. Induced β-1,3-glucanase (pI 9,5) differs from the constitutive β-1,3-glucanase (pI 4,5) of healthy plants. The induced enzyme can partly degrade, in vitro, the cell walls of C. lindemutianum. The possible role of these hydrolytic enzymes inplants defence is discussed.