| Abstract: | Studies on polymer size, concentration and mode of application, either as foliar spray or soil drench, in relation to the induction of resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in Nicotiana tabacum cv xanthi-nc by poly(acrylic acid) (PA) are reported. PA also induced resistance to TMV in N. glutinosa, to pelargonium leaf curl virus in Datura stramonium, to cucumber mosaic virus in Vigna sinensis and to tobacco ring-spot virus in N. tabacum cv White Burley. No TMV was detected in PA-treated tomato cv Virocross 11 days after inoculation; but the susceptible cultivar Craigella became infected. PA treatment had no effect on TMV replication in White Burley tobacco but resistance was induced to Peronospora tabacina, a fungal pathogen of N. tabacum cv xanthi-nc. The potential of PA-induced resistance as a control measure for viruses and fungi is discussed. |
