The properties of L-fucose binding agglutinin associated with the cell wall of Rhizoctonia solani

The adherence of Escherichia coli B cells to cell wall associated-agglutinin of the soil borne plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, was inhibited by l-fucose, l-galactose, trypsin, SDS, cycloheximide and Na2-EDTA. The coiling of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum around Rhizoctonia hyphae was prevented by SDS, cycloheximide, Na2-EDTA and methyl-α-l-fucoside — an inhibitor of Rhizoctonia agglutinin not metabolized by both fungi. The possible role of the agglutinin in Trichoderma-Rhizoctonia interaction is discussed.