Detection of anti-fungal genes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and their effects on fungal growth

Abstract

Anti-fungal genes chitinase, beta-glucanase and ribosomal inactivating proteins (RIP)were detected in chickpea plants when they were artificially exposed to Ascochyta rabei spores.Immunological studies provided evidence for the presence of a chitinase-like proteins in blightinfectedchickpea leaves using a poplar chitinase antibody. No activity was detected when abarley chitinase antibody was used, indicating that antifungal proteins in chickpea recognizedifferent antigenic determinants. Purified barley ribosomal inactivating protein (RIP 30) andchitinase (Chi 26) were shown to inhibit the growth of Ascochyta rabiei in vitro. The role ofantifungal proteins in the protection of chickpea against pathogen is discussed.