Induction of β-1,3-glucanase in seedlings of pearl millet in response to infection by Sclerospora graminicola

Differential resistance of pearl millet cultivars to downy mildew disease was correlated with the levels of beta -1,3-glucanase in their seeds. Higher activity of the enzyme in highly resistant cultivars and lower activity in the highly susceptible ones suggested the possible use of beta -1,3-glucanase as a biochemical marker for screening pearl millet cultivars for downy mildew disease. Inoculation of seedlings with the downy mildew pathogen Sclerospora graminicola resulted in increased enzyme levels in resistant cultivars. Mesocotyl and shoot regions of seedlings recorded higher levels of enzyme than the root. Isoelectric focusing revealed four basic isoforms with pI 9.6, 9.0, 8.9 and 8.2 and two acidic isoforms with pI 4.9 and 6.2 of beta -1,3-glucanase in pearl millet. The pI 9.6 isoform was a major isoform of the enzyme in the pearl millet seedlings with a probable developmental function. Isoforms pI 6.2 and pI 8.2 appeared to be involved in resistance and pI 4.9 isoform seemed to be involved in pathogenesis of pearl millet-downy mildew.