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Stałanowska K, Szablińska-Piernik J, Pszczółkowska A, Railean V, Wasicki M, Pomastowski P, Lahuta LB, Okorski A. Antifungal Properties of Bio-AgNPs against D. pinodes and F. avenaceum Infection of Pea ( Pisum sativum L.) Seedlings. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4525. [PMID: 38674112 PMCID: PMC11050071 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ascochyta blight and Fusarium root rot are the most serious fungal diseases of pea, caused by D. pinodes and F. avenaceum, respectively. Due to the lack of fully resistant cultivars, we proposed the use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) as a novel protecting agent. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal properties and effectiveness of bio-AgNPs, in in vitro (poisoned food technique; resazurin assay) and in vivo (seedlings infection) experiments, against D. pinodes and F. avenaceum. Moreover, the effects of diseases on changes in the seedlings' metabolic profiles were analyzed. The MIC for spores of both fungi was 125 mg/L, and bio-AgNPs at 200 mg/L most effectively inhibited the mycelium growth of D. pinodes and F. avenaceum (by 45 and 26%, respectively, measured on the 14th day of incubation). The treatment of seedlings with bio-AgNPs or fungicides before inoculation prevented the development of infection. Bio-AgNPs at concentrations of 200 mg/L for D. pinodes and 100 mg/L for F. avenaceum effectively inhibited infections' spread. The comparison of changes in polar metabolites' profiles revealed disturbances in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in pea seedlings by both pathogenic fungi. The involvement of bio-AgNPs in the mobilization of plant metabolism in response to fungal infection is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Stałanowska
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.S.); (L.B.L.)
| | - Joanna Szablińska-Piernik
- Department of Botany and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pl. Łódzki 1, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Pszczółkowska
- Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pl. Łódzki 5, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Viorica Railean
- Department of Infectious, Invasive Diseases and Veterinary Administration, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Wileńska 4, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (M.W.); (P.P.)
| | - Miłosz Wasicki
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Wileńska 4, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (M.W.); (P.P.)
| | - Paweł Pomastowski
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Wileńska 4, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (M.W.); (P.P.)
- Department of Inorganic and Coordination Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Lesław Bernard Lahuta
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.S.); (L.B.L.)
| | - Adam Okorski
- Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pl. Łódzki 5, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland;
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Xu X, Shen G, Teng H, Zhao J, Xiao J, Guo L, Gao Y, Chen J, Wang X, Xiang W, Zhao J. Unravelling Species Diversity and Pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. Associated with Soybean Leaf and Root in Heilongjiang Province, China. PLANT DISEASE 2024; 108:852-856. [PMID: 37858971 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-08-23-1476-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max L.) holds significant global importance and is extensively cultivated in Heilongjiang Province, China. Soybean can be infected by Fusarium species, causing root rot, seed decay, stem rot, and leaf blight. In 2021 to 2022, a field survey of soybean diseases was carried out in 11 regions of Heilongjiang Province, and 186 soybean leaves with leaf blight symptoms and 123 soybean roots with root rot symptoms were collected. Unexpectedly, a considerable number of Fusarium isolates were obtained not only from root samples but also from leaf samples. A total of 584 Fusarium isolates (416 from leaves and 168 from roots) were obtained and identified as 18 Fusarium species based on morphological features and multilocus phylogenetic analyses with tef1 and rpb2 sequences. Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium sp. 1 in FOSC were the dominant species within soybean leaf and root samples, respectively. Pathogenicity tests were conducted for all Fusarium isolates on both soybean leaves and roots. Results showed that F. graminearum, F. ipomoeae, F. citri, F. compactum, F. flagelliforme, F. acuminatum, and F. sporotrichioides were pathogenic to both soybean leaves and roots. F. solani, F. avenaceum, F. pentaseptatum, F. serpentinum, F. annulatum, and Fusarium sp. 1 in FOSC were pathogenic to soybean roots, not to leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first study to thoroughly investigate soybean-associated Fusarium populations in leaves and roots in Heilongjiang Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Guijin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Haolin Teng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Junlei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Jialei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Lifeng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Heilongjiang Seed Industry Technical Service Center, Harbin 150008, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A and F University, Hangzhou, 311300, P.R. China
| | - Xiangjing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wensheng Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Junwei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
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Lario LD, Gonzalez C, Meini MR, Pillaca-Pullo OS, Zuricaray D, Español L, Scandiani MM, Luque A, Casati P, Spampinato CP. Exploring soybean cultivar susceptibility to sudden death syndrome: Insights into isoflavone responses and biocontrol potential. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 339:111951. [PMID: 38072331 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium tucumaniae is a significant threat to soybean production in Argentina. This study assessed the susceptibility of SY 3 × 7 and SPS 4 × 4 soybeans cultivars to F. tucumaniae and studied changes in root isoflavone levels after infection. Additionally, the biocontrol potential of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) against SDS was also examined. Our results demonstrated that the SY 3 × 7 cultivar exhibited higher disease severity and total fresh weight loss than SPS 4 × 4. Both cultivars showed induction of daidzein, glycitein, and genistein in response to infection, with the partially resistant cultivar displaying significantly higher daidzein levels than the susceptible cultivar at 14 days post infection (dpi) (2.74 vs 2.17-fold), declining to a lesser extent at 23 dpi (0.94 vs 0.35-fold, respectively). However, daidzein was not able to inhibit F. tucumaniae growth in in vitro assays probably due to its conversion to an isoflavonoid phytoalexin which would ultimately be an effective fungal inhibitor. Furthermore, the PGPR bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BNM340 displayed antagonistic activity against F. tucumaniae and reduced SDS symptoms in infected plants. This study sheds light on the varying susceptibility of soybean cultivars to SDS, offers insights into isoflavone responses during infection, and demonstrates the potential of PGPR as a biocontrol strategy for SDS management, providing ways for disease control in soybean production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Daniela Lario
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina; Instituto de Ingeniería Ambiental, Química y Biotecnología Aplicada (INGEBIO), Facultad de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), Av. Pellegrini 3314, Rosario 2000, Argentina.
| | - Camila Gonzalez
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - María Rocío Meini
- Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos (IPROBYQ), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Daniela Zuricaray
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina; Instituto de Ingeniería Ambiental, Química y Biotecnología Aplicada (INGEBIO), Facultad de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), Av. Pellegrini 3314, Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - Laureano Español
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Scandiani
- Centro de Referencia de Micología (CEREMIC), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario S2002LRK, Argentina
| | - Alicia Luque
- Centro de Referencia de Micología (CEREMIC), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario S2002LRK, Argentina
| | - Paula Casati
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina
| | - Claudia Patricia Spampinato
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario 2000, Argentina
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Ramos RS, Spampinato CP. Deficiency of the Arabidopsis mismatch repair MSH6 attenuates Pseudomonas syringae invasion. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 332:111713. [PMID: 37068662 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The MutS homolog 6 (MSH6) is a nuclear DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene that encodes the MSH6 protein. MSH6 interacts with MSH2 to form the MutSα heterodimer. MutSα corrects DNA mismatches and unpaired nucleotides arising during DNA replication, deamination of 5-methylcytosine, and recombination between non-identical DNA sequences. In addition to correcting DNA biosynthetic errors, MutSα also recognizes chemically damaged DNA bases. Here, we show that inactivation of MSH6 affects the basal susceptibility of Arabidopsis thaliana to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000. The msh6 T-DNA insertional mutant exhibited a reduced susceptibility to the bacterial invasion. This heightened basal resistance of msh6 mutants appears to be dependent on an increased stomatal closure, an accumulation of H2O2 and double-strand breaks (DSBs) and a constitutive expression of pathogenesis-related (NPR1 and PR1) and DNA damage response (RAD51D and SOG1) genes. Complementation of this mutant with the MSH6 wild type allele under the control of its own promoter resulted in reversal of the basal bacterial resistance phenotype and the stomatal closure back to wild type levels. Taken together, these results demonstrate that inactivation of MSH6 increases Arabidopsis basal susceptibility to the bacterial pathogen and suggests a link between DNA repair and stress signaling in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío S Ramos
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Claudia P Spampinato
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
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Chirinos-Arias MC, Spampinato CP. Role of the mismatch repair protein MSH7 in Arabidopsis adaptation to acute salt stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 169:280-290. [PMID: 34823145 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is a highly conserved pathway in evolution responsible for maintaining genomic stability. MMR is initiated when MutS proteins recognize and repair single base-base mismatches and small loops of unpaired nucleotides as well as certain types of DNA damage. Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants contain MutS protein homologs (MSH) found in other eukaryotic organisms and a unique MSH7 polypeptide. In this study, we first evaluated transient expression profiles of ten-days old pAtMSH7:GUS transgenic seedlings at different recovery times after an acute treatment for 48 hs with100 mM NaCl. GUS histochemical staining indicated that MSH7 expression is repressed by salt exposure but recovers progressively. Then, ten-days old mutants harboring two independent msh7 alleles were exposed for 48 hs with100 mM NaCl and different traits were measured over recovery time. Salt treated msh7 seedlings were defective in G2/M arrest. As a result, msh7 seedlings showed a reduced salt inhibitory effect as evidenced by a decreased reduction of rosette and leaf areas, stomatal density, total leaf number, silique length and seed number per silique. These findings suggest that disruption of MSH7 activity could be a promising approach for plant adaptive responses to salinity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Chirinos-Arias
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Claudia P Spampinato
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina.
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Rodriguez MC, Sautua F, Scandiani M, Carmona M, Asurmendi S. Current recommendations and novel strategies for sustainable management of soybean sudden death syndrome. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:4238-4248. [PMID: 33942966 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The increase in food production requires reduction of the damage caused by plant pathogens, minimizing the environmental impact of management practices. Soil-borne pathogens are among the most relevant pathogens that affect soybean crop yield. Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by several distinct species of Fusarium, produces significant yield losses in the leading soybean-producing countries in North and South America. Current management strategies for SDS are scarce since there are no highly resistant cultivars and only a few fungicide seed treatments are available. Because of this, innovative approaches for SDS management need to be developed. Here, we summarize recently explored strategies based on plant nutrition, biological control, priming of plant defenses, host-induced gene silencing, and the development of new SDS-resistance cultivars using precision breeding techniques. Finally, sustainable management of SDS should also consider cultural control practices with minimal environmental impact. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Rodriguez
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Sautua
- Fitopatología, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Scandiani
- Centro de Referencia de Micología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Carmona
- Fitopatología, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Asurmendi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Silva E, Belinato JR, Porto C, Nunes E, Guimarães F, Meyer MC, Pilau EJ. Soybean Metabolomics Based in Mass Spectrometry: Decoding the Plant's Signaling and Defense Responses under Biotic Stress. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:7257-7267. [PMID: 34180225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics is an omics technology that is extremely valuable to analyze all small-molecule metabolites in organisms. Recent advances in analytical instrumentation, such as mass spectrometry combined with data processing tools, chemometrics, and spectral data libraries, allow plant metabolomics studies to play a fundamental role in the agriculture field and food security. Few studies are found in the literature using the metabolomics approach in soybean plants on biotic stress. In this review, we provide a new perspective highlighting the potential of metabolomics-based mass spectrometry for soybean in response to biotic stress. Furthermore, we highlight the response and adaptation mechanisms of soybean on biotic stress about primary and secondary metabolism. Consequently, we provide subsidies for further studies of the resistance and improvement of the crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evandro Silva
- Laboratory of Biomolecules and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá, 5790 Colombo Avenida, Maringá, Paraná 87020-080, Brazil
| | - Joao Raul Belinato
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas and National Institute of Science and Technology in Bioanalysis (INCTBio), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Carla Porto
- Laboratory of Biomolecules and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá, 5790 Colombo Avenida, Maringá, Paraná 87020-080, Brazil
- MsBioscience, 298 Quintino Bocaiúva Street, Maringá, Paraná 87020-160, Brazil
| | - Estela Nunes
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Swine & Poultry, BR-153 km 110 Road, Concórdia, Santa Catarina 89715-899, Brazil
| | - Francismar Guimarães
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Soybean, Carlos João Strass Road, Londrina, Paraná 86001-970, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Conrado Meyer
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Soybean, Carlos João Strass Road, Londrina, Paraná 86001-970, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Jorge Pilau
- Laboratory of Biomolecules and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá, 5790 Colombo Avenida, Maringá, Paraná 87020-080, Brazil
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Mahawar H, Prasanna R, Gogoi R, Singh SB, Chawla G, Kumar A. Synergistic effects of silver nanoparticles augmented Calothrix elenkinii for enhanced biocontrol efficacy against Alternaria blight challenged tomato plants. 3 Biotech 2020; 10:102. [PMID: 32099743 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-2074-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The biocontrol efficacy of a cyanobacterium Calothrix elenkinii (Ce), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their augmented complex (AgNPs-Ce) was evaluated. Foliar application of AgNPs-Ce reduced the disease severity by 47-58%, along with significant increases of 44-45%, 40-46% and 23-33% in leaf chlorophyll, carotenoid content, and polyphenol oxidase activity in the A. alternata infected tomato plants. A significant reduction in the pathogen load was recorded, both by plate counts and microscopic observations in the AgNPs, Ce and AgNPs-Ce treatments, while AgNPs-Ce also effectively reduced ergosterol content by 63-79%. Amplification using PCR-ITS primers revealed very faint bands or none in the AgNPs-Ce treated leaves, illustrating the inhibition of fungal growth. Significantly higher yield was recorded in the pathogen challenged plants receiving AgNPs-Ce, AgNPs, and Ce treatments. Higher expression of elicited antioxidant enzymes, along with enhanced plant growth attributes and lowered fungal load highlight the biocontrol potential of AgNPs-Ce treatment in A. alternata infected plants. This synergistic association can be explored as a promising biocontrol option against A. alternata challenged tomato plants under various agroclimatic conditions.
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