Local and systemic induction of beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase in coffee leaves protected against Hemileia vastatrix by Bacillus thuringiensis

beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities were induced locally and systemically 4-25 and 11-25 days, respectively, after spraying the surface of the third pair of coffee leaves from the apex of 8-month-old plants with a 50 mg/ml aqueous suspension of Bacillus thuringiensis in a commercial formulation (Thuricide HP-Sandoz). The treatment also induced local and systemic resistance against Hemileia vastatrix after the application of the inducer. Within 14-18 days of application of the Thuricide inducer, the beta-1,3-glucanase activity in the locally- and systemically-protected unchallenged leaves reached maximum levels of 226% and 279% higher levels respectively, than in control plants. The chitinase activity reached maximum levels of 224% and 181% respectively, within 18-21 days after treatment with the inducer. Two beta-1,3-glucanase bands were detected by native PAGE electrophoresis in extracts from locally-and systemically-protected unchallenged coffee leaves.