Involvement of active oxygen species and peroxidases in phytoalexin production induced in soybean hypocotyls by an elicitor from a saprophytic fungus

The involvement of active oxygen species and apoplastic peroxidases in the mechanism of phytoalexin induction were evaluated in soybean hypocotyls using an eliciting extract from the saprophytic fungus Mucor ramosissimus. Hydrogen peroxide and ferric chloride-ascorbic acid a .OH radical generating system, promoted glyceollin production and increase in peroxidase activity similar to those observed with the fungal elicitor. Addition of catalase or potassium ferrocyanide (an inhibitor of peroxidase) inhibited both processes. It is suggested that there is a cause-effect relationship between peroxidase activity and phytoalexin induction both triggered by oxidative processes.