Abstract:
In this study, the effects of Puccinia malvacearum, an important rust fungus in the phylum Basidiomycota, on Malva sylvestris (mallow) were investigated. Changes in pigment content, dry weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), which is an important marker of lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content, peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes were investigated in groups infected with rust fungi and those that were not. In the infected group, an increase in pigment content was observed in samples obtained in June and July. The increase in MDA content in infected groups was also considered an indicator that caused oxidative stress in M. sylvestris. In addition, a decrease in POD activity and an increase in phenolic content were observed in the infected group. APX activity was also increased in the infected groups. Additionally, changes in the dry weight content were observed in the infected groups. Our findings showed that M. sylvestris gave important physiological and biochemical responses to oxidative stress caused by P. malvacearum. It is thought that the data obtained in this study will contribute to the elucidation of resistance mechanisms in plants exposed to fungal infection.