Ceratocystis Infection in Sweet Potato: Its Effect on Proteins, Isozymes, and Acquired Immunity

Changes take place in the protein and isozyme patterns of tissue adjacent to cut surfaces of sweet potato roots infected by the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata. Chromatography and gel electrophoresis of extracts from sections cut at known distances from a plane of infection showed that inoculation with a pathogenic or nonpathogenic isolate produced similar changes in several proteins and enzymes. Inoculation of a susceptible variety of sweet potato with the nonpathogenic isolate induced in a thin layer of tissue around the site of inoculation an acquired immunity to subsequent inoculation with the pathogen.