LIGNIN ABNORMALITIES OF "RUBBERY APPLE WOOD"

Abstract

The lignin from healthy and from rubbery wood virus-infected apple trees has been examined. Although the Klason lignin from healthy specimen was found to be similar to that of other hardwood species, the lignin from the diseased samples has a lower methoxyl content and yields less syringaldehyde on nitrobenzene oxidation. More alcohol-soluble material but less Klason lignin was obtained from the diseased samples than from the healthy wood. Since the lignins from the healthy and the diseased samples have a similar oxygen content, it is suggested that methylation of the lignin is interfered with in the infected wood. Evidence for the validity of this theory is discussed. A similarity was noted between the characteristics of rubbery wood virus and those of "juvenile" lignin from other sources.