CHANGES IN SACCHARIDE METABOLISM INDUCED BY INFECTION OF CAMELLIA-SINENSIS BY EXOBASIDIUM VEXANS

Changes in saccharide contents of tea leaves during infection with bli ster blight fungus Exobasidium vexans Masse was studied. Saccharose an d glucose contents decreased in the blistered portions when compared t o the normal regions until sporulation and remained constant during th e entire period of sporulation. Fructose content increased abruptly du ring the initiation of sporulation and remained constant up to the end of sporulation in both blistered and non-blistered regions. Starch co ntent continuously decreased in the blistered region. Peroxidase activ ity was highly enhanced during the final stages of leaf senescence. Th e activity of acid invertase was inversely proportional to the starch content and closely related to the changes in the saccharose and gluco se contents. Protein and chlorophyll contents gradually decreased in t he blistered regions.