Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes inCuscuta reflexaand Its Hosts

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Abstract
Pectin degrading enzymes, hemicellulose degrading enzyme and cellulose degrading enzymes were studied in Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., its susceptible hosts, Brassica campestris L., Coccinia indica W. & A. Datura innoxia Mill, Helianthus annuus L., Holoptelea indica Planch, Lantana camara L., Medicago sativa L., Manihot utilissima Pohl, Petunia hybrida X Hort exvilm, Pisum sativum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Solanum nigrum L. and non-susceptible plants Ipomoea batata Lam. and Solanum tuberosum L. Pectin esterase and polygalacturonase were present in higher amounts in Cuscuta parasitic on P. vulgaris and S. nigrum, which needed more time for haustorial establishment. Exo-l, 4-β-D-glucosidase activity was found in Cuscuta but could not be detected in its hosts. Xylanase and cellulase activity of host plants increased while cellobiase activity decreased as a result of infection by the parasite. Higher pectin esterase, polygalacturonase, xylanase and exo-l, 4-β-D-glucosidase activities in the haustorial region of the parasite is likely to bring about the lysis of the cell wall of the host plant and thus facilitate the penetration of the parasite haustoria into the host sieve element, which is necessary for the transport of nutrients between the host and the parasite.

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