Histo-chemical Studies on Plant Gall Tissues III Ingredients of Tomato Stem Gall caused by Bclerium tumefaciens SMITH et TOWNSEND

Microchemical observations have been made on the stem gall produced by the infection of Bacterium iumefaciens SMITH et TOWNSEND and the normal stem tissues of tomato plant. Ammonium and phosphate salts and reducing sugars are found in the proliferated canker-like gall tissue. Starch grains are observed in cortex, medullary rays, and pith of the normal stem tissue. However, they are not detected in the tumor strand cells of the gall tissue. Proteins are detected in the proliferated gall tissues, although the Ninhydrin and Biuret reactions are negative in the normal stem. Some compounds having two bases of phenol are found in the gall tissue. Oxidase, peroxidase, and glutathione activities are greater in the gall tissue than in the normal tissue. The hydrogen-ion concentrations of both stem and gall of tomato tissue are approximately the same as pH 5.8. The reduction activity of the gall tissue is greater than that of the normal stem, and the oxidation-reduction potential is shown by rH 14 in the tumor strand cells of the gall. Other parts of both tissues are about rH 16 (at pH 7.0, 30℃).