Abstract
Biological activity of chitosan on Pythium rot of cucumber was investigated. Growing cucumber plants in the presence of chitosan (100 or 400 μg/ml) controlled root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum and triggered several host defense responses, including the induction of structural barriers in root tissues and the stimulation of antifungal hydrolases (chitinase, chitosanase, and β-1,3-glucanase) in both the roots and leaves. Whereas chitosan did not cause any apparent phytotoxicity to cucumber plants, it adversely affected the growth of P. aplnanidermatum. A close examination of hyphal cells revealed that chitosan caused wall loosening, vacuolation, and, in some cases, protoplasm disintegration [...]
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