Effect of Cadmium on the Host — Pathogen System. III. Influence of Cadmium and Phytophthora infestans on Membrane Permeability of Potato Leaves

Summary Changes of electrolyte leakage from potato Solanum tuberosum L. leaves effected either by cadmium, or Phytophthora infestans , or both simultaneously were investigated. The leaves of two cultivars, Bintje and Bzura, susceptible and resistant, respectively, to pathogen were examined. Cadmium present in the leaves (8–19 µg g −1 fw) caused an increase of membrane permeability in the resistant leaves and a significant decrease in the susceptible material. The interaction between the leaves and pathogen produced a marked increase in electrolyte leakage from the susceptible material and a slight increase from the resistant material. The simultaneous treatment of potato leaves of both cultivars with cadmium and the pathogen brought about antagonistic effects in membrane permeability.