Fusaproliferin effects on the photosystem in the cells of maize seedling leaves

The possible role of the fusariotoxin, fusaproliferin in plant pathology was investigated with respect to cell membrane potential. Electron microscopy was used to study both the early effect of fusaproliferin on the host’s plasma membrane and ultrastructure responses in the cells of maize leaves. The seedlings of resistant (Lucia) and susceptible (Pavla) to the fusaproliferin maize cultivars were grown in the presence of fusaproliferin at different concentrations, namely 5 and 35 μg ml⁻¹, respectively, and electrophysiological measurements were compared with those obtained using two different toxic compounds, namely fusicoccin and 3-3(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). It was observed that only the higher concentration of fusaproliferin induced the onset of visible symptoms on the leaves. Comparing the effect of fusaproliferin to that of fusicoccin and DCMU at the higher toxin concentration, it was observed that functional differences in membrane potential induced severe damage to the mesophyll and outer chloroplast membrane; the extent of changes in electrophysiology and ultrastructure disturbances depended on the toxin concentration and was greater in the susceptible cv. Pavla. Results indicated that fusaproliferin could be involved in Fusarium pathogenesis either as a virulence factor or by enhancing the activity of other toxins that might be concomitantly present in infected plants.