Effect of Rotylenchulus reniformis infection on the phenolic contents of Cotton, Gossypium barbadense L.

Abstract

Diseased plant tissues usually contain higher levels of phenolic compounds than healthy tissues (Goodman et al., 1967). This trend was first reported in plant-nematode interaction by Mountain and Patrick (1959) who reported that discoloration in peach roots infected with Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev et S. Stekhoven, was due to the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Similar instances were reported in case of apple plants infected with P. penetrans (Pitcher et al., 1960), tobacco infected with P. minyus Sher et Allen (Mountain, 1961) and chrysanthemum leaves infected with A. ritzema-bosi (Schwartz) Steiner (Wallace, 1961 and 1961a). Changes in phenolic levels of cotton resulting from infection by the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis Lindford et Oliveira are reported here.