Cellulose is degraded during phloem necrosis of Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract
A cytochemical investigation was performed for studying cellulose alteration during phloem necrosis of the rubber tree. An exoglucanase‐gold complex was used for localizing β‐(1,4)‐D‐glucan linkages of non reducing ends of the polymer. Variation in cell wall labelling indicates that cellulose is degraded during this disease and suggests that cellulases are involved in this alteration. Wall appositions and periplasmic vesicles were also observed.