The Resistance of Maize to Infection Is Correlated with the Degree of Methyl Esterification of Pectin in the Cell Wall.

Common smut caused by is one of the dominant fungal diseases in plants. The resistance mechanism to infection involving alterations in the cell wall is poorly studied. In this study, the resistant single segment substitution line (SSSL) R445 and its susceptible recurrent parent line Ye478 of maize were infected with , and the changes in cell wall components and structure were studied at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 days postinfection.

Early infection response of fungal biotroph in maize.

Common smut, caused by (DC.) Corda, is a destructive fungal disease of maize worldwide; it forms large tumors, reducing corn yield and quality. However, the molecular defense mechanism to common smut in maize remains unclear.