The Role of Cellulase (Endo-1,4-β-Glucanase) in Gummosis Diseases in Apricot

Apricot gummosis pathogens — the fungi Hendersonula toruloidea, a Cytosporina sp. and a Cytospora sp., produce cellulase (endo-1,4-β-glucanase, carboxymethylcellulase, CMCase) in culture. Cytospora sp. produced significantly lower amounts of cellulase than H. toruloidea and Cytosporina sp. The tendency of cellulase accumulation inside apricot stems infected with either H. toruloidea or Cytosporina sp. is similar: most of the cellulase was found in the necrotic area, whereas comparatively small amounts accumulated at the advancing edge of the disease symptom. H. toruloidea produces cellulase with a molecular mass of 76 kDa.