Sugar and Amino Acid Content of Poa pratensis Infected with Ustilago striiformis and Urocystis agropyri

Abstract

AbstractLeaf and root tissues of Poa pratensis L. showing distinct morphological changes associated with infection by Ustilago striiformis (West.) Niessl var. poae (stripe smut) or Urocystis agropyri (Pruess) Schroet. (flag smut) were analyzed for total soluble sugars and free amino acids. Decreases in the quantity of soluble sugars in stripe‐smutted plants were not significant, indicating that the presence of U. striiformis sori in leaf tissue does not interfere with photosynthesis of the host. Severe decreases in the quantity of soluble sugars in flag‐smutted plants suggest that U. agropyri either directly impairs photosynthesis or effectively metabolizes the photosynthate. Both pathogens caused significant decreases in total free amino acids in leaf and root tissues. The negligible decrease in soluble sugars in stripe‐smutted plants was associated with a disproportionate decrease in free amino acids, suggesting that the pathogen either metabolizes amino acids or inhibits their synthesis. The severe decrease in amino acids in leaves and roots of U. agropyri‐infected plants is believed due to carbohydrate starvation. It is probable that morphological changes in U. agropyri‐infected plants, including reduced branching, dwarfed leaves and root systems, and the inability to produce inflorescences, are probably the direct result of severely reduced levels of sugars and amino acids. The reduced branching, somewhat smaller root systems, and inhibition of inflorescence production on plants infected by U. striiformis probably are associated to some extent with decreases in amino acids. The upright elongated leaves of U. striiformis‐infected plants, however, cannot be attributed to the decrease in amino acid content and are suggestive of hyperauxiny.