Adhesion of <i>Colletotrichum lindemuthianum</i> Spores to <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> Hypocotyls and to Polystyrene

Abstract

Adhesion of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum spores to Phaseolus vulgaris hypocotyls and to polystyrene was inhibited by the respiratory inhibitors sodium azide and antimycin A, indicating a requirement for metabolic activity in adhesion. Various commercial proteins and Tween 80 also reduced adhesion to both surfaces. Binding was enhanced by the presence of salts: sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium chlorides were equally effective. The removal of surface wax from hypocotyls by chloroform treatment greatly reduced their subsequent ability to bind spores. The results suggest a similar mechanism for spore adhesion to the plant surface and to polystyrene, involving purely physical surface properties rather than group-specific binding sites.