Abstract
In microscopic analyses of the infection behavior of the fungal pathogen Mycovellosiella nattrassii, causal agent of eggplant leaf mold, fewer appressoria and penetration hyphae formed on UV-B-treated leaves of eggplant than on the control leaves. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and β-1,3-glucanase activities were higher in the UV-B-treated leaves at 5 and 7 days post-treatment, respectively. A 6-h daily exposure of eggplants to UV-B light in the greenhouse reduced the incidence of eggplant leaf mold significantly compared with the control plants. These results suggest that UV-B irradiation to eggplant activates defense-related enzymes and is effective in disease control.
