Physiological changes in winter wheat genotypes in response to the zymoseptoria tritici infection

Abstract

Some physiological aspects of interactions between wheat and Zymoseptoria tritici were studied by measuring changes in some stress markers, photosynthetic activity, and the extent of thermal energy dissipation. Four winter wheat genotypes varying in their level of resistance, determined on the basis of necrotic leaf area and presence of pycnidia, were inoculated at a seedling stage and measurements were performed at 0, 2, 17, and 23 d after the inoculation. Physiological activity of wheat genotypes showed that keeping the membrane integrity and the extent of oxidative stress is of significant importance for pathogen resistance. It could be suggested that the changes in electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde content, and values of quantum yield of PSII electron transport and nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching can be used to screen the degree of tolerance to Septoria tritici blotch in different wheat genotypes.