ABSTRACT

When attacked by pathogens, cotton responds by synthesizing antimicrobial compounds called phytoalexins. As a means to increasing the resistance of cotton to wilt pathogens, we are investigating biosynthetic pathways that could be utilized to introduce more potent phytoalexins. A phytoalexin produced by kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus, is significantly more potent toward wilt pathogens than is any phytoalexin produced by cotton. We have established that a purported common intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of phytoalexins in cotton and kenaf, 3-hydroxy-α-calacorene, is the (+)-enantiomer in both plants.