Phenol Composition and Susceptibility to FusariumOxysporum Dianthi in Carnation

Phenol composition of two carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) cvs “Gloriana” and “Roland”, partially and highly resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, respectively, has been investigated with the aim of assessing the possible role of phenolic constituents both as biochemical markers of resistance and antifungal molecules. Analyses were performed through chromatography, NMR and MS methods. The results indicate that protocatechuic and vanillic acids are present in healthy and infected tissues of both cvs; the flavonol glycoside peltatoside. 2,6-Dimethoxybenzoic acid was detected in small amounts only in infected “Gloriana” cv while the highly resistant “Roland” cv contained the flavone datiscetin. This latter compound, due to its noticeable antifungal activity evidenced in in vitro trials, could be conceived both as a biochemical marker of resistance towards this pathogen and as a phytoanticipin