The Effects of a Polyamine Biosynthesis Inhibitor on Infection of Vicia Faba L. By the Rust Fungus, Uromyces Viciae‐fabae (Pers.) Schroet

The effects of the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, difluoromethylomithine (DFMO), on rust infection of the broad bean have been examined. DFMO was sprayed onto leaves at 0.025, 0.1 and 0.4 mM before and after inoculation. DFMO was also applied to leaf halves in order to examine the possible translocation of the inhibitor to untreated leaf halves (systemic treatment). DFMO gave good control of rust infection, irrespective of the treatment. DFMO applied after inoculation was more effective than a pre-inoculatory treatment when used in non-systemic tests. When used as a systemic treatment on leaf halves, pre-inoculatory application of DFMO was more effective. DFMO did not affect plant growth or endogenous concentrations of poly amines. The possible use of DFMO in the control of a range of plant diseases is discussed.