Concentration of adenylates and energy charge values in cotton roots infected with Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

Infection of resistant and susceptible cotton seedlings by Meloidogyne incognita resulted in appreciable increases in the levels of adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate in roots within 1 day after inoculation. In spite of marked increases in the adenylate content of the infected tissues, there were no appreciable changes in adenylate energy charge of either susceptible or resistant plants. The results of this study suggest that in Meloidogyne-infected tissues, oxidative phosphorylation is not uncoupled and, therefore, the machinery for adenosine triphosphate production remains highly functional. Moreover, the stability of energy charge in infected tissues indicates that infection does not upset the energy metabolism of the host cells.