Flavonoids accumulate in cell walls, middle lamellae and callose-rich papillae during an incompatible interaction between Xanthomonas campestris pv malvacearum and cotton

Interactions between cotton cotyledons and Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum were examined. During an incompatible interaction, fluorescence microscopy revealed that flavonoid compounds accumulated within 10 h after inoculation. Electron micrographs showed ultrastructural modifications of cells that exhibited an intense fluorescence suggesting the presence of flavonoids. Phenol-like molecules were produced by cells of infection sites and were found in paramural areas within papillae enriched with callose and in host cell walls and middle lamellae. Histochemistry showed that peroxidase activity and terpenoids were detected in the infected resistant plants, 4 and 48 h after inoculation, respectively. In contrast, no changes in the deposits of lignin, suberin, and catechin were seen in either the infected susceptible or resistant lines. We suggest that early flavonoid accumulation is associated with the hypersensitive reaction of cotton cotyledons to X. campestris pv. malvacearum. The activity of wall-bound peroxidases may play a role in the incorporation of flavonoids in cell walls and paramural papillae. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited.