Variations in the phenolic contents of cocoyam clones in correlation to resistance to Pythium myriotylum

Abstract

Phenolic compounds from leaves and roots of infected and healthy cocoyam clones resistant (RO1075), tolerant (RO1043), and susceptible (RO1157) to Pythium myriotylum were quantified and tested for their in vitro fungitoxicity on the causal agent of the cocoyam root rot disease. All clones, infected or not, have phenolic compounds showing fungitoxic activity. The phenolic content of the tolerant and susceptible clones is less than that observed in the resistant one meanwhile in the resistant clone RO1075, a large increase in phenolic content is observed particularly in the roots during attack by pathogen.