The interaction of calcium with ethylene and abscisic acid in the pathogenesis of wheat seedlings caused by Fusarium culmorum

Abstract

The influence of ethylene and abscisic acid on the infection of wheat seedlings by Fusarium culmorum depending on the content of calcium in the medium was investigated. It has been established that when this element does not occur in the medium ABA stimulates, whereas ethylene inhibits the development of a disease. Adding calcium to the medium decreases considerably the stimulating influence of ABA, whereas it increases the inhibiting action of ethylene in this process. The influence of ethylene and abscisic acid on the growth and development of Fusarium culmorum depending on the content of calcium in the medium, was also investigated. Basing on the above results it can be concluded that calcium in media enhances the inhibitory effect of ethylene and reduces the stimulatory effect of abscisic acid on the growth and development of Fusarium culmorum and also on the infection of the seedlings with that pathogen.

Keywords

• plant infection
• calcium
• abscisic acid
• ethylene
• Fusarium culmorum