Altered Phenotypic Response to Peronospora parasitica in Brassica juncea Seedlings Following Prior Inoculation with an Avirulent or Virulent Isolate of Albugo candida

A study was made of the biological interactions between an isolate of Peronospora parasitica compatible with Brassica juncea and two isolates of Albugo candida either incompatible or compatible with the host species. Prior inoculation with the incompatible isolate of A. candida induced resistance to subsequently inoculated P. parasitica. The degree of resistance was proportional to the zoosporangia concentration of the incompatible isolate and induced resistance was more marked in the cotyledon receiving the inducing inoculum compared to the opposite cotyledon and subsequently emerging true leaves that had not been pre-inoculated. Induction of resistance was also observed if the incompatible isolate of A. candida and P. parasitica were co-inoculated simultaneously. However, the effect was greater the longer the interval between inoculations, up to a period of 4 days. When the incompatible isolate of A. candida was inoculated 4h after P. parasitica, there was no marked effect on resistance to the latter. In contrast, prior inoculation with the compatible isolate of A. candida increased susceptibility to P. parasitica inoculated subsequently. However, pre- or co-inoculation with P. parasitica suppressed the development of the compatible isolate of A. candida. A spectrum of responses was observed when one cotyledon was inoculated simultaneously with both the incompatible and compatible isolates of A. candida and followed subsequently with P. parasitica after different time intervals. In such combinations, a transition was observed in the host response to P. parasitica from induced resistance/reduced susceptibility, which increased up to 24h following a simultaneous inoculation with incompatible + compatible isolates of A. candida to an almost neutral reaction after 72h to induced susceptibility after 96h. This range of altered responses appeared to reflect the outcome of the differing kinetics and counter-effects of resistance and susceptibility induction.