Cell wall degrading enzyme secretion by Colletotrichum acutatum, the causative fungus of secondary leaf fall of Hevea brasiliensis

Colletotrichum acutatum is the major causative agent of secondary leaf fall disease of rubber. All isolates of the fungus examined secreted polygalact uronase (PG), pectin lyase (PL) and the cellulolytic enzymes. P-glucosidase , and cellobiase in culture. Molecular weight determinations suggest that P G as well as the PL produced by all isolates are similar. PG activity was a bsent in infected rubber leaves. However. PL activity was detected in infec ted tissues associated with the enlargement of lesions. p-glucosidase was p resent in both healthy and infected leaves while cellobiase was detected on ly in infected leaf tissue.