Nucleic Acid Content in Malformed Mango Inflorescence caused by Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans

Abstract

The nucleic acid metabolism in obligate parasitism has although been quite frequently studied and elegantly reviewed (HEITEFUSS 1966), works on facultative parasitism are so far only a few. However, the recent demonstrations of inducing obligate parasites to grow on culture media has removed the sharp demarcation between the two groups of parasites to a great extent. Marked increase in the amount and activity of RNA in infected tissues was reported in a number of compatible combinations with susceptible hosts (QUICK and SHAW 1964, MUKHERJEE and SHAW 1962, TANI et al. 1975). As regards DNA content in infected tissues, an increase was reported on one hand by WILLIAMS et al. (1968) while on the other HEITEFUSS (1965, 1966 a) observed almost unchanged or only slight decrease in combinations having compatible reactions. The present investigation has been designed to study the nucleic acid contents in malformed inflorescence of two cultivars of mango (Mangi-fera indica L.) caused by Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans Wr. et Rg. Mango plants producing one of the principal fruit crops in the Indian subcontinent when infected by the fungus show development of abnormal in-florescence which fail to fruit and thus result in tremendous economic loss. The identification of the causal organism, isolated from a large number of inflorescences collected from different parts of Burdwan, West Bengal, India, was confirmed by IARI, New Delhi.