Effects of Phenylamide Pesticides on the GSH-Conjugation System of Phytophthora spp. Fungi*

Phytophthora cactorum, Ph. cambivora, Ph. cinnamomi, Ph. citricola, Ph. cryptogea, Ph. drechsleri, Ph. infestans, Ph. megasperma, Ph. parasitica, and Ph. syringae contain GSH-conjugation systems as indicated by the presence of active GST enzyme in addition to GSH. Basal levels of both GSH and GST in the thalli of Phytophthora strains studied did not correlate with either fungal sensitivity to phenylamides (acetochlor, butachlor, metolachlor, dimethachlor, propachlor, ofurace, CGA-29212, metalaxyl, RE-26745, benalaxyl, furalaxyl, LAB-149202) or their acquired resistance to metalaxyl. Thalli o f Phytophthora strains from axenic cultures ex­ posed to sublethal concentrations of the above pesticides contained significantly higher levels of both GSH and GST than the untreated controls. This response was independent of the sen­ sitivity and tolerance of the strains to phenylamides. When the responses of Phytophthora strains to phenylamide chemicals were compared by means of principal component analysis, four independent components were detected account­ ing for 88% of the total variation. Biological properties (basal and induced levels of GST and GSH, growth intensity, degree of acquired resistance to metalaxyl, sensitivity to propiconazole and to cisand /ra«s-tridemorph) of the strains contributed differently to this variation. It was concluded that, in contrast to plants, sensitivity or tolerance of Phytophthora species to phenylamide pesticides is not regulated by the efficiency of the GSH-conjugation system. In addition, our data clearly indicate that the acetanilide pesticides have multiple sites of action in the Phytophthora genus.