Anatomy and Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in the Incompatible Interaction of Lycopersicon esculentum and Cuscuta reflexa

A time-dependent correlation of anatomical and chemical defence reactions was shown during the incompatible reaction of tomato against the phanerogamic parasite Cuscuta reflexa. Microscopical analysis of the infection sites at the tomato stem revealed the elongation of epidermal, hypodermal and collenchymatic cells beneath the parasitic prehaustorium. After 9–11 days of infection the elongated cells had collapsed forming a visible brownish plaque at the tomato stem followed by a scalariform tissue with lignified and suberized cell walls. Concomitantly, an enhanced accumulation of soluble phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid and an unidentified hydroxycinnamic acid derivative), as well as a stimulation of peroxidases, was observed. In contrast, PAL activity was not increased. Whereas the stimulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism could also be induced by artificial wounding, the described anatomical changes were only observed during attack of Cuscuta.