Changes in cytokinin concentrations in xylem extrudate following infection of Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm with Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands

The concentrations of zeatin-type and isopentenyladenine-type cytokinins were reduced in the xylem extrudate collected from seedlings of Eucalyptus species following infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. The use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) allowed the detection of these cytokinins over the range of 0.3 to 7 picomoles for the isopentenyladenine-type and 1 to 1000 picomoles for the zeatin-type. Isopentenyladenine-type cytokinins occurred in concentrations less than 10% of the zeatin-type, but they could be readily detected and measured. This is the first report of their presence in xylem. The sensitivity of the assay allowed a short collection period (30 minutes) reducing any confusion with trauma-induced changes. Infection of the susceptible species Eucalyptus marginata Donn. ex Sm. resulted in significant reduction of zeatin-type cytokinins within 3 days of infection, and at 14 days postinfection the concentration of both cytokinin types was reduced to 26% of uninoculated controls. No reduction in cytokinins occurred with the field resistant Eucalyptus calophylla R. Br. It is suggested that failure of cytokinin transport from the root system may be responsible for the failure in water transport and symptoms of P. cinnamomi infection observed in infected susceptible eucalypts.