Biosynthesis of scopoletin in Hevea brasiliensis leaves inoculated with Phytophthora palmivora

Inoculation of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) Hevea brasiliensisleaves with Phytophthora palmivorainduced foliar necrosis and biosynthesis of scopoletin (Scp), considered as a Heveaphytoalexin. The degree of resistance of four clones, as classified by the necrotic lesions, was related to the rapidity and intensity of Scp production. The resistant BPM-24, and marked partially resistant clone PB-235, displayed an early secretion of scopoletin that intensified and lasted longer than the weak partially resistant RRIT251, and susceptible clone RRIM600. The lesion size and amount of Scp after infection were positively correlated to the concentration of spores applied to Hevealeaves. In addition, in leaflets inoculated with high spore concentration, Scp reached the highest level earlier than those with low spore concentration. A fungitoxic effect of Scp on mycelium growth was shown in bioassays; the I50 value tested on Phytophthora palmivora was relatively the same as on Phytophthora botryosa, but much lower than those found on other leaf pathogens of rubber tree, Corynespora cassiicolaand Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The lesion size and level of Scp upon spore inoculation may be appropriate for classifying Heveaclones according to their R/S with respect to P. palmivora