The effect of calcium on the production of ethylene and abscisic acid by fungus Fusarium culmorum and by wheat seedlings infected with that pathogen

Wheat seedlings infected and non-infected with Fusarium culmorum were grown on mediums with different content of calcium (0, 2, 4, 8 mM). It was found that the higher the content of calcium in the medium, the greater the amou nts of ethylene produced in both non-infected and infected wheat seedlings, whereas the level of ABA in their tissues was decreased. Taking into consideration the fact that ethylene inhibits, whereas ABA stim ulates the growth and development of Fusarium culmorum, it may be assumed t hat the production of ethylene increased under the influence of calcium and the decreased level of ABA in wheat seedlings causes the reduction growth and development of pathogen and as a result it lowers the degree of infecti on of wheat seedlings by this fungus. Thus, on the base of the obtained results it may be concluded that the inhi biting influence of calcium on injuring the wheat seedlings by Fusarium cul morum may be caused by the plant.