A Laminarin-Based Formulation Protects Wheat Against Zymoseptoria tritici via Direct Antifungal Activity and Elicitation of Host Defense-Related Genes.

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of the laminarin-based formulation Vacciplant to protect and induce resistance in wheat against Zymoseptoria tritici, a major pathogen on this crop. Under greenhouse conditions, a single foliar spraying of the product 2 days before inoculation with Z. tritici reduced disease severity and pycnidium density by 42 and 45%, respectively. Vacciplant exhibited a direct antifungal activity on Z. tritici conidial germination both in vitro and in planta. Moreover, it reduced in planta substomatal colonization as well as pycnidium formation on treated leaves. Molecular investigations revealed that Vacciplant elicits but did not prime the expression of several wheat genes related to defense pathways, including phenylpropanoids (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase), octadecanoids (lipoxygenase and allene oxide synthase), and pathogenesis-related proteins (ß-1,3-endoglucanase and chitinase). By contrast, it did not modulate the expression of oxalate oxidase gene involved in the reactive oxygen species metabolism. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis indicated limited changes in leaf metabolome after product application in both noninoculated and inoculated conditions, suggesting a low metabolic cost associated with induction of plant resistance. This study provides evidence that the laminarin-based formulation confers protection to wheat against Z. tritici through direct antifungal activity and elicitation of plant defense-associated genes.

Redox status regulation and action of extra- and intravascular defense mechanisms are associated with bean resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli.

Genetic resistance is the main strategy to control one of the most destructive diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L), i.e., the Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (Fop). However, little is known on host defense reactions in Fop-bean interaction. Thus, this work examined the defense mechanisms in root and hypocotyl tissues of common bean against Fop. Resistant and susceptible bean plants were inoculated by dipping their roots in a conidial suspension. Cross sections of roots and hypocotyls were observed in light microscopy at 1, 3, 6, and 9 days after inoculation (dai) to monitor Fop colonization, and at 3 and 9 dai to detect callose, carbohydrates, lipids, phenolics, and protein, and under electronic microscopy at 9 dai to observe ultrastructural changes in xylem cells. The content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation, and activity of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) were monitored spectrophotometrically in roots and hypocotyls at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 dai. Fop colonized inter- and intracellularly the epidermis and cortex reaching the xylem vessels faster in susceptible genotype. Fop inoculation induced phenolics and carbohydrates accumulation, callose deposition, and formation of occlusion material inside xylem vessels mainly in resistant genotype. Lipid peroxidation occurred mainly in susceptible plants. In contrast, the antioxidant enzymes seem to have contributed to reducing damage caused by H2O2 accumulation in resistant plants. This study gives evidences that inter- and intracellular physicochemical mechanisms can act together to delay Fop colonization in resistant plants.

Ulvans induce resistance against plant pathogenic fungi independently of their sulfation degree.

The present work aimed to evaluate the defense responses induced by chemically sulfated ulvans in Arabidopsis thaliana plants against the phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria brassicicola and Colletotrichum higginsianum. Derivatives with growing sulfate content (from 20.9 to 36.6%) were prepared with SO3-pyridine complex in formamide. NMR and FTIR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the increase of sulfate groups after the chemical sulfation process. The native sulfated polysaccharide (18.9% of sulfate) and its chemically sulfated derivatives similarly reduced the severity of both pathogenic fungi infections. Collectively, our results suggest that ulvans induce resistance against both fungal pathogens independently of its sulfation degree.