Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

Results are given of a preliminary research aimed at the molecular investigation of dryness of horse chestnut leaves incited by Guignardia aesculi and environmental pollution. Modifications due to pathology and physiological disorders are characterized. Leaves showing pathologies or a physiological disorder compared to sound leaves were investigated by FTIR Spectroscopy. The spectra showed a weakening of the aromatic domain bands (1650-1500 cm-1) and intensity inversion of two bands of this domain (1650, 1610 cm-1) passing from the sound leaves to those affected with a physiological disorder. Moreover in the spectrum of these leaves, the 1300 cm-1 band disappears, the carbonylic esteric band (1730 cm-1) decreases while the band at 1400 cm-1 is enhanced probably because of partial hydrolysis of the esteric groups. These bands could be a spectroscopic marker of the disease. The results show that FTIR spectroscopy is a promising technique helping to unravel the processes involving the biological macromolecules of plant tissues.