The Hypersensitive Reaction to Infection by Bacterial Plant Pathogens

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Abstract
The hypersensitive reaction (HR) is operative in host plants infected with bacteria as well as with fungal and viral pathogens. It is the general defense reaction in the plant kingdom. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are equally able to induce HR. Only living microoganisms and viruses are capable of inducing HR. HR will operate only in incompatible host-parasite combinations. At the initial stage of the infection process there is not appreciable difference between the rates of multiplication of the pathogen in susceptible and resistant plants. Hypersensitive necroses appear earlier in resistant plants than typical symptoms in susceptible ones. The development of the HR in plants is associated with a loss of cell turgor which reflects a loss in cell membrane permeability. The HR can be mimicked by numerous SH-containing compounds. Bacteria seem to have an advantage over fungi and viruses in the sutdy of this defense reaction.