Several mechanisms are included in the plant resistance against the phytopathogens. Among them are some proteins that may either be components of the cell wall or produced as a result of infection; in addition to other organic compounds that can be produced in the root exudates. Such compounds may act as pathogen pectinase or cellulase inhibitors or be toxic to the pathogen. The aim of this work was a screening for a new fungal pectinase or cellulase inhibitor that may be a protein constituent or produced by the roots of five tested plants against six phytopathogenic fungi. The root exudates and protein content of five plants (Vicia faba, Trigonella sp., Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, and Hordeum vulgare) were preliminarily screened for inhibition of six phytopathogens (Sclerotium cepivorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis sp., and Fusarium oxysporum) in a medium containing either pectin or cellulose as a sole source of carbon. There was no inhibition obtained from all of the protein extracts and the root exudates of the tested plants against any of the tested fungi. On the other hand, the growth of Botrytis sp. was enhanced by the root exudates of corn in the cellulose-containing medium. This result reflected the absence of pectinases and cellulases inhibitors in the protein content or root exudates of the tested plants against the tested fungi. In addition, the presence of a Botrytis sp. cellulase activator in the root exudates of corn.

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