D-Tagatose-Based Product Triggers Sweet Immunity and Resistance of Grapevine to Downy Mildew, but Not to Gray Mold Disease

Comparative proteome analysis revealed potential biomarkers and the underlying immune mechanisms in Vibrio-resistant hybrid grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂

Vibrio alginolyticus is the causative agent of vibriosis, a common bacterial infection in grouper aquaculture that is associated with the development of haemorrhagic and non-haemorrhagic ulcerations on the fish. In the present study, comparative proteome analysis was performed on serum samples from Vibrio-resistant and Vibrio-susceptible grouper. Samples were analysed using high-throughput LC-MS/MS and identified 2770 unique peptides that corresponded to 344 proteins. Subsequent analysis identified 21 proteins that were significantly up-regulated in the resistant group compared to the control and the susceptible groups. Those proteins are associated with immunostimulatory effects, signalling and binding cascade, metabolism, and maintaining tissue integrity and physiological condition. Besides, potential protein biomarkers related to the immune system were identified, which could be associated with the disease-resistant phenotype. These data provide insights into the underlying immune mechanism of hybrid groupers upon Vibrio sp. infection.

Trends in the Potential of Stilbenes to Improve Plant Stress Tolerance: Insights of Plant Defense Mechanisms in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stressors

Stilbenes belong to the naturally synthesized plant phytoalexins, produced de novo in response to various biotic and abiotic stressors. The importance of stilbenes in plant resistance to stress and disease is of increasing interest. However, the defense mechanisms and potential of stilbenes to improve plant stress tolerance have not been thoroughly reviewed. This work overviewed the pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis pathway, shikimate pathway, and phenylalanine pathway occurred in the synthesis of stilbenes when plants are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses. The positive implications and underlying mechanisms regarding defensive properties of stilbenes were demonstrated. Ten biomimetic chemosynthesis methods can underpin the potential of stilbenes to improve plant stress tolerance. The prospects for the application of stilbenes in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals industries are anticipated. It is hoped that some of the detailed ideas and practices may contribute to the development of stilbene-related products and improvement of plant resistance breeding.

10th Anniversary of Plants-Recent Advances and Further Perspectives

Published for the first time in 2012, Plants will celebrate its 10th anniversary [...].

The Amount of the Rare Sugar Tagatose on Tomato Leaves Decreases after Spray Application under Greenhouse Conditions

Tagatose is a rare sugar that suppresses plant diseases, such as late blight of tomato, caused by Phytophthora infestans. Tagatose can be metabolized by some microorganisms and no information is available on its persistence on tomato leaves. The aim of this study was to assess the persistence of tagatose on tomato leaves under commercial greenhouse conditions. The amount of tagatose on tomato leaves and the inhibitory activity against P. infestans decreased seven days after spray application in the absence of rain wash-off. Potential tagatose-degrading bacteria were isolated from tomato leaves, and they belonged to Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Comamonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Methylobacterium sp., Microbacterium sp., Pantoea sp., Plantibacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Ralstonia sp., Rhodococcus sp., Sphingobium sp., and Sphingomonas sp. Thus, indigenous phyllosphere microorganisms could partially metabolize tagatose laid on plant leaves after spray application, reducing the persistence of this fungal inhibitor on tomato leaves.