Potential Role of Elicitins in the Interaction between Phytophthora Species and Tobacco

Abstract

The potential role of extracellular elicitor proteins (elicitins) from Phytophthora species as avirulence factors in the interaction between Phytophthora and tobacco was examined. A survey of 85 Phytophthora isolates representing 14 species indicated that production of elicitin is almost ubiquitous except for isolates of Phytophthora parasitica from tobacco. The production of elicitins by isolates of P. parasitica correlated without exception with low or no virulence on tobacco. Genetic analysis was conducted by using a cross between two isolates of P. parasitica , segregating for production of elicitin and virulence on tobacco. Virulence assays of the progeny on tobacco confirmed the correlation between production of elicitin and low virulence.