Pathogenesis of Potato Gangrene Caused by Phoma exigua var. foveata: II. Activities of some Hydrolases and Dehydrogenases

The location of enzyme activity in gangrene-diseased tubers was determined using the nitrocellulose blotting method. The activity of aminopeptidase and esterase was located in tissues adjacent to dry rot caused by Phoma exigua var. foveata and in other apparently healthy tissues. The activity of glucuronidase, succinic and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G-6-PDH), however, was confined to tissues adjacent to the rotted tissue. The pathogen produces very active a- and b-glycosidases, so their highest activity occurred in rotten tissue that was filled with fungal mycelium. Results suggest that all these enzymes are involved in alteration of cell metabolism and the destruction of diseased tuber tissue