The effect of salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid on red pigment formation in mechanically wounded scales of Hippeastrum x hybr. hort. and on the growth and development of Phoma narcissi

Abstract

Various organs of Hippeastrum infected by Phoma narcissi, infested with mite, Steneotarsonemus laticeps or mechanically wounded, produce red pigment on the surface of injured tissues. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of salicylic (SA) and acetylsalicylic acids (ASA) (inhibitors of biosynthesis of jasmonates and ethylene) on red pigment formation in wounded scales of bulbs of Hippeastrum and on the mycelium growth of P. narcissi in vivo and in vitro. SA and ASA at a concentration of 1 and 2 mM partially inhibited the formation of red pigment in wounded scales, first of all in first 2 days after treatment. The growth and development of P. narcissi on basal plate and scales of longitudinally cut Hippeastrum bulb treated with SA and ASA (1 and 2 mM) was similar as in control. SA (50 µg·cm^-3) and ASA (250 µg·cm^-3) inhibited the mycelium growth of P. narcissi on PDA medium, and concentration of 1000 µg·cm^-3 of both almost totally inhibited the mycelium growth of the pathogen. Inhibitory effect of SA and ASA on the formation of red pigment in wounded scales of Hippeastrum may be caused by lowered biosynthesis and accumulation of jasmonates.