Benzothiadiazole as an Inducer of β-1,3-Glucanase and Chitinase Isozymes in Sugar Beet

The effect of benzothiadiazole (BTH) on protein synthesis was studied in sugar beet plants. Extracellular proteins induced by 0.025 % BTH were examined and their pattern was compared with that induced by sodium salicylate, chitosan, paraquat, AgNO3, and by tobacco necrosis virus. BTH induced synthesis of at least 9 acidic and 6 basic proteins; three of them appeared as acidic chitinase isozymes, three as acidic β-1,3-glucanase isozymes, three as basic chitinase isozymes, and one as a basic β-1,3-glucanase isozyme. One of the basic chitinase isozymes was found also in control plants. The most of the newly formed proteins was also induced by the other inducers under study regardless of the necrotic or symptomless reaction of plants. The benzothiadiazole proved to be an efficient inducer of proteins in sugar beet.