Enzyme Activities in Dormant Spores of TwoTilletiaSpecies

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Abstract
A simple, sensitive microtest, based on fluorescence associated with enzyme activities in the presence of specific substrates, is described that may provide an accurate measure of dormant spore viability in many fungi. Esterase, sulfatase and glycosidase activities were measured in extracts from teliospores of T. controversa (TCK), and T. caries (TCT) [from bunted wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants] in the presence of 15 different substrates. Except for 4 substrates, the measured activities were higher in TCK than in TCT. Activities of .alpha.-L-arabinopyranosidase and .beta.-D-glucuronidase were found only in TCK. Temperature and pH optima were determined for the individual enzymes. The optimal temperatures for the enzyme activities were higher in all cases than the optimal temperatures for germination of teliospores of TCK or TCT. The temperature relationships are discussed.