Effect of benzothiadiazole, an inducer of systemic acquired resistance, on the pathogenesis of wheat brown rust

We studied the effects of systemic acquired resistance inducer, benzothiadiazole (BT, benzo-(1,2,3-thiadiazole-7-carbothionic acid S-methyl ester, commercial name BION), on the development of brown rust caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina Erikss. in nearly isogenic lines of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L, cv. Thatcher) carrying the resistance genes Lr19 and Lr24. A dependence of BT efficiency on the time between treatment with the inducer and inoculation with urediniospores was observed. A difference in BT action on pathogenesis during wheat line infection with virulent and avirulent P. triticina clones was detected. In compatible combinations, the morphogenesis of virulent clone mycelium was suppressed without the hypersensitive response. The inhibition of the development of avirulent clone colonies was accompanied by the intense hypersensitive response. Treatment with cycloheximide enhanced avirulent clone development during 3 days after inoculation; however, later colony growth ceased.