To further evaluate previous indirect evidences of a role for the rubber tree cyanogenic glycosides, of which the main component is linamarin, this study evaluated the translocation incompatibility of the clone IPA 1 (Hevea brasiliensis) with budded crowns of clones of other species. Solutions of KCN were first applied, which caused rapid coagulation of the latex in the laticiphers of IPA 1, at very low concentrations, the same effect being observed in Fx 4098 at higher concentrations. The clone Fx 3864 presented no effect, only a slight reduction of the latex flow at the highest concentration. With linamarin solutions the necrosis, again preceded by latex coagulation, spread longer along the stem, indicating a higher mobility of linamarin than KCN. The clone IPA 1 behaved again sensitive to the lower concentrations of linamarin, with the higher concentrations causing the same effects on Fx 4098 and no effect on Fx 3864. With linamarin a build up of free HCN was detected in the bark of IPA 1. The incompatibility with IPA 1 is caused by the translocation of cianogenic glycosides from the budded crowns to the stem which is deprived of sufficient capacity to remove the HCN liberated by the hydrolisis of cyanogenic glicosides, while the Fx 3864 presented a very efficient detoxifying capacity.
Hevea brasiliensis; cianogenic glucosides; cyanogenesis