Rapid increases in β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities are markers of resistance to Microdochium nivale in grasses of the Lolium-Festuca complex

Microdochium nivale causes pink snow mould - a destructive disease of seedlings, stem bases, and ears of winter grasses and cereals. Glucanase and chitinase belong to pathogenesis-related proteins and exhibit a specific activity in response to pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the activity of these enzymes in the leaves of chosen forage grasses during Microdochium nivale infection. Different cultivars of Festuca arudinacea, F. pratensis, Festulolium brauni, Lolium multiflorum, and L. perenne were prehardened at 12 degrees C and hardened at 2 degrees C and then inoculated with M. nivale mycelium. Leaf samples were collected before infection, as well as two, four, and eight days after inoculation. Each cultivar showed a specific pattern of changes in the enzymatic activities in response to M. nivale infection. We conclude that a rapid increase in glucanase and chitinase activities after M. nivale attack enhanced resistance to this pathogen and may be recognized as a physiological marker of grass resistance to this snow mould.