ANTIVIRAL SUBSTANCES WITH SYSTEMIC EFFECTS PRODUCED BY BASIDIOMYCETES SUCH AS FOMES-FOMENTARIUS

Inhibitors of plant virus infection with systemic effects were found in the culture filtrates of Basidiomycetes such as Fomes fomentarius and Schizophyllum commune. These inhibitors were widely distributed in Agaricales and Polyporales. The inhibitors designated as BAS (Basidiomycete Antiviral Substance) were highly active against the mechanical transmission of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). No toxic effect was observed on the host plants. BAS-F, a polysaccharide produced by F. fomentarius, almost completely inhibited infection, when BAS-F at 2 mug/ml was applied to the same surface of leaves of Xanthi-nc tobacco 24 h before TMV inoculation to the upper surface of the leaves, and 50% inhibition was shown when BAS-F at 10 mug/ml was applied to the under surface of leaves. BAS-F also induced systemic resistance to the non-treated leaves when it was applied to only one leaf of the plant. BAS-F also had similar effects against the infection of TMV on bell pepper and tomato plants.