The induction of buds and gametophores on the moss Pylaisiella selwynii by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was inhibited by cell walls (CW) isolated from dicots (potato, tomato, bean) but not by those from monocots (asparagus, onion). Pectin and polygalacturonate were also inhibitory; the latter was more effective. CW from Pylaisiella protonema also inhibited gametophore induction by A. tumefaciens; CW from Pylaisiella gametophores were less inhibitory; and CW from Polytrichum commune protonema or gametophores showed little inhibitory activity. Unlike Pylaisiella, P. commune does not show increased bud formation when incubated with Agrobacterium. After Polytrichum protonema or gametophore CW are treated with pectinesterase, they inhibit the Pylaisiella response to Agrobacterium. Pylaisiella gametophore CW also become more inhibitory when treated with pectinesterase. Pectinesterase treatment of intact Polytrichum protonema makes them sensitive to Agrobacterium, as shown by increased bud and gametophore formation. We suggest that the absence of suitable Agrobacterium adherence sites on Polytrichum CW and the generation of such sites by pectinesterase action account for these results.
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Spiess et al. (1984) studied this question.