Dehiscence of pods at an early stage of development is a characteristic of oilseed rape pods damaged by Dasineura brassicae (pod midge). Anatomical examination of pods exhibiting symptoms of infestation revealed a loss of cohesion between intact cells of the dehiscence zone, a narrow tissue of thin-walled cells present between the valve margins. Determination of hydrolytic enzyme activity in pericarp tissues of damaged siliquae showed localized enhancement of both polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) and cellulase (β1, 4 glucanase, EC 3.1.2.4) activity, positionally consistent with these factors being responsible for the observed cell wall degradation. Mechanistic similarities of midge-induced and maturation-associated pod dehiscence are discussed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Meakin et al. (1991) studied this question.