Dramatic biochemical and anatomical changes in eggplant due to infection with Alternaria solani causing early blight disease

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the biochemical and anatomical responses in eggplant infected with
Alternaria solani isolate responsible for early blight disease. Disease symptoms, physiological, antioxidant enzyme activities
as well as anatomical changes as due to Alternaria solani infection in eggplant plants were determined. All growth characters,
photosynthetic pigments, total soluble carbohydrate as well as total indole in shoots was shown to be significantly decreased
due to A. solani infection after (20- and 40-days following inoculation. Total soluble protein on the other hand, was slightly
decreased, during first stage of growth, with increases in total soluble protein contents as compared with uninfected plants
during second stage of growth. Total phenol contents, oxidative enzyme activities and endogenous hormonal contents (IAA,
GA3, ABA and SA) of eggplant were increased compared to uninfected plants. The mesophyll cells of challenged plants
appeared relatively small, compact or without intercellular spaces.