Production of Antifungal Compounds in Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) and Pea (Pisum sativum) after Virus Infection

SUMMARY: Tissues of cowpea and pea underwent cellular browning following infection by tobacco necrosis virus and pea early browning virus respectively. In both species antifungal isoflavanoids accumulated in the brown tissues. The phytoalexins, phaseollidine, kievitone and phaseollin were isolated from virus-infected cowpea; pisatin from virus-infected pea. These results agree with previous indications that the destruction of host cells promotes the formation and accumulation of antifungal compounds within the tissues.