Pectic Enzymes Associated with Mimosa Wilt

Polygalacturonase, pectinesterase and polygalacturonate lyase are produced in vitro by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp perniciosum. Pectinesterase and polygalacturonase but not polygalacturonate lyase activity were found in infected mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin) seedlings. Polygalacturonase activity increased weekly over a 4-week period and was found to be highest in leaf and lowest in root fractions. Column chromatography on Sephadex G-75 of filtrates from infected seedlings produced 3 separate "fractions" with viscosity reducing activity. Two of these fractions also had pectinesterase activity. No fraction had lyase activity.