INFLUENCE OF MONENSIN ON GROWTH AND EXOPO LYSACCHARIDE SECRETION OF BOTRYTIS-CINEREA PERS AND SCLEROTIUM-ROLFSII SACC

The addition of various concentrations of monensin (1, 5, and 10 mu g/ mL) to the culture medium inhibits the fungal growth and perturbs exop olysaccharides secretion, provoking a decrease of production in Botryt is cinerea and an increase in Sclerotium rolfsii. The ionophore induce s also modifications in both polymer composition and structure. New mo nomers were observed in the two species and a decreased branching rate for Sclerotium rolfsii. These modifications show that monensin affect s the enzymes responsible for normal wall synthesis and therefore vesi cular traffic.