Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the host resistance of potato against Phytophthora infestans for twenty-five potato genotypes in 2010 and 2011 at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal using four assays: three for foliage resistance (field, whole-plant and detached leaf) and one for tuber resistance (tuber slice). An isolate of P. infestans collected from Lalitpur (LPR-1) was used for inoculation at a concentration of 3×103 sporangia ml-1 in all assays. Infected foliage area in the field and whole-plant assays, lesion size on detached leaves, and colony growth on tuber slice were all individually converted to 0-9 interval scale for susceptibility. Field assessment, considering the most robust measure of resistance, was used as benchmark for comparing the other assays. Sixteen of the genotypes had very little disease in the field (scale value 1) indicating they were probably expressing race-specific resistance, which has historically been short lived. Susceptibility levels measured in the whole-pant assay were highly correlated (r=0.90) with converted field scale values, although the correlation was lower for the detached leaf assay (r=0.63) and least for tuber-slice assay (r=0.46). Low correlation in the detached leaf assay was assumed to represent lower resolution of the single-cycle assay. Low correlation in the tuber assay may have also reflected genetic differences as foliage and tuber blight resistance are not always correlated. Genotypes with extreme resistance in the field were frequently identified as having partial resistance in the other assays, which could mistakenly be interpreted as more durable field resistance. The consequences for selecting durable resistance are discussed.
Abstract: Phytophthora fruit rot, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is a major constraint to cucurbit production for the processing industry in Michigan. Age-related resistance to Phytophthora fruit rot has been identified in pepper and some cucurbit fruit. In this study, 'Dickenson Field' processing pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and 'Golden Delicious' winter squash (C. maxima) were evaluated for age-related resistance to Phytophthora fruit rot. Hand-pollinated fruit were harvested 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, or 56 days post pollination (dpp), and inoculated with P. capsici isolate 12889. Susceptibility to Phytophthora fruit rot decreased with fruit age in Dickenson Field processing pumpkin, whereas Golden Delicious winter squash remained susceptible to fruit rot even as fruit reached full physiological maturity. Less than 15% of Dickenson Field fruit 21 dpp or older became diseased. Conversely, about 80% of Golden Delicious fruit 21 dpp or older became diseased. Lesion diameter and pathogen growth density ratings differed significantly (P0.0001) among fruit ages for both cultivars, and were negatively correlated (?=-0.37 to -0.87) with fruit age. Lesion diameter and pathogen growth were generally greater on younger fruit than older fruit. Lesion diameter was greatest on 7- and 10-dpp-old fruit of Dickenson Field and Golden Delicious, respectively. Pathogen growth density ratings were greatest on 3-dpp-old fruit of both cultivars. Several morphological and physiological changes were observed as fruit matured. Soluble solids content and exocarp firmness of both cultivars increased with fruit age. Lesion diameter and pathogen growth density ratings were negatively correlated (?=-0.29 to -0.73) with soluble solids content and exocarp firmness.
Abstract: Phytophthora sojae Kauffmann and Gerdemann, the causal agent of Phytophthora root and stem rot, may result in severe losses in soybean fields planted with susceptible cultivars. However, the disease can be successfully managed through the use of cultivars with genetic resistance. 'Summit' soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV-508, PI 665057) was developed by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center of Ohio State University and was released in 2010. The cultivar was bred with the objective to develop a high-yielding maturity group (MG) II cultivar with resistance to P. sojae. Summit was developed through early-generation testing with yield-based selections of F2-derived heterogenous lines and F4 lines and originates from a single F4 plant selection of a cross between 'IA3023' and breeding line HS99-4045. Summit was evaluated in 30 environments from 2006 to 2011. In the Ohio Preliminary and Advanced Line Tests, Summit had a significantly higher yield than check cultivars, with seed yield 106% of 'Wyandot' and 110% of 'OHS 202'. In the Northern Region Preliminary Test, Summit had a similar yield as the MG III check cultivar 'IA3024' and a significantly higher yield than the MG II check cultivar 'IA2068' (109%). Summit possesses Rps1k and Rps3a alleles for race-specific resistance to P. sojae. As a high-yielding, conventional, mid-MG II cultivar with resistance to P. sojae, Summit is a good choice for producers of non-genetically modified soybeans in Ohio and other regions with disease pressure from P. sojae.
Abstract: Phytophthora root and stem rot caused by Phytophthora sojae Kaufmann and Gerdemann is one of the most severe soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] diseases in the USA. Partial resistance is as effective in managing this disease as single-gene (Rps gene)-mediated resistance and is more durable. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with partial resistance to P. sojae in PI 398841, which originated from South Korea. A population of 305 F7:8 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross of OX20-8 × PI 398841 was used to evaluate partial resistance against P. sojae isolate C2S1 using a tray test. Composite interval mapping using a genome-wide logarithm of odd (LOD) threshold detected three QTL on chromosomes 1, 13, and 18, which individually explained 4-16% of the phenotypic variance. Seven additional QTL, accounting for 2-3% of phenotypic variance each, were identified using chromosome-wide LOD thresholds. Seven of the ten QTL for resistance to P. sojae were contributed by PI 398841. Seven QTL co-localized with known Rps genes and previously reported QTL for soil-borne root pathogens, isoflavone, and seed oil. Three QTL on chromosomes 3, 13, and 18 co-localized with known Rps genes, but PI 398841 did not exhibit an Rps gene-mediated resistance response following inoculation with 48 different isolates of P. sojae. PI 398841 is potentially a source of novel genes for improving soybean cultivars for partial resistance to P. sojae.
Abstract: The main objective of the present study was to reanalyse tomato expression data that was previously submitted to the Tomato Expression Database to dissect the resistance/defence genomic and metabolic responses of tomato to Phytophthora infestans under field conditions. Overrepresented gene sets belonging to chromosome 10 were identified using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and we found that these genes tend to be located towards the end of the chromosome 10. An analysis of syntenic regions between Arabidopsis thaliana chromosomes and the tomato chromosome 10 allowed us to identify conserved regions in the two genomes. In addition to allowing for the identification of tomato candidate genes participating in resistance/defence in the field, this approach allowed us to investigate the relationships of the candidate genes with chromosomal position and participation in metabolic functions, thus offering more insight into the phenomena occurring during the infection process.
Abstract: Induced resistance by chemicals such as acibenzolar-S-methyl -ASM (commercialized as Actigard by Syngenta Inc) mimics the biological activation of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). ASM takes the place of salicylic acid (SA) in the SAR signal pathway inducing the same molecular markers and range of resistance. The goal of our work was to understand the downstream molecular events by which ASM confers resistance to Phytophthora infestans in tomatoes. To accomplish this goal we assayed gene expression in ASM-treated plants using a microarray with more than 12,000 tomato ESTs. As many as 300 genes were responsive to ASM. Of these, 117 were detected in most of the biological replications. Basal defense associated genes as well as SAR and disease resistance genes (R-like) involved in induced resistance and effector-triggered immunity were highly expressed. We attempted to determine the phenotype of 13 of these genes by virus induced gene silencing (VIGS). These 13 genes were selected on the basis of previous implication in plant defense response and by reliability of induction by ASM. VIGS was partially successful for three of the 13 genes, but this partial silencing did not lead to a significant reduction in the effect of ASM. The ethylene pathway was also activated in response to ASM, but a tomato mutant not responsive to ethylene remained responsive to ASM. It seems most likely that the ASM effect is complex and polygenic, depending on the effect of several genes.
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is important in some physiological responses of plants and plays a crucial role in the regulation of both defense responses and inducing resistance to fungal pathogens. NUBS-4190, a new bis-aryl-methanone compound elicited NO production and defense responses in Nicotiana benthamiana against Phytophthora infestans. NUBS-4190 induced resistance in N. benthamiana to P. infestans, without association of reactive oxygen generation and hypersensitive cell death. Callose induction was reduced in NUBS-4190-treated N. benthamiana leaves after challenge inoculation of P. infestans indicating the penetration resistance. Involvement of pathogenesis-related 1a (NbPR1a) and nitric oxide associated 1 (NbNOA1) genes in the induced resistance to N. benthamiana against P. infestans was found to be associated with resistance. Increased susceptibility in NbPR1a- and NbNOA1-silenced plants correlated with the constitutive accumulation of PR1a transcripts and NO associated salicylic acid. Moreover, reduced NO generation in NOA1 silenced N. benthamiana plants treated with NUBS-4190 indicated that NbNOA1 is involved in NUBS-4190-mediated NO production and is required for defense responses.
Abstract: Black shank, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae, is managed primarily by host resistance. The rapid emergence of race 1 eliminated the usefulness of available complete resistance, leading breeders to search for new sources of resistance. Cigar tobacco 'Beinhart 1000' (BH) is highly resistant to all races of P. nicotianae. Doubled-haploid (DH) lines from a cross of BH and the susceptible 'Hicks' were evaluated for black shank resistance, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) on linkage groups (LGs) 4 and 8 accounted for >43% of the phenotypic variation in resistance. Forty-three DH lines and parents were evaluated, and genotypes with one or both QTL from BH on LGs 4 and 8 had increased incubation periods and decreased root rot but higher final inoculum levels than genotypes with neither QTL. A low level of stem resistance was observed in BH and DH lines with the QTL from BH on LG 4 but not LG 8. Low levels of leaf resistance were seen for Hicks, BH, and DH lines with both QTL from BH on LG 4 and 8. The partial resistance from BH has not been used commercially and may provide an increase in level of partial resistance in future tobacco varieties.
Abstract: Phytopthora root rot in pepper (C. annuum) is caused by Phytophthora capsici L., which exhibits a high level of pathogenic diversity. Resistance to this disease is conditioned by a number of quantitative trait loci. Pyramiding resistance alleles is desirable and could be simplified by the use of molecular markers tightly linked to the resistance genes. The purpose of this study was development of molecular markers linked to Phytophthora root rot resistance. An F8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between YCM334 and a susceptible cultivar 'Tean' was used in combination with bulk segregant analysis utilizing RAPD and conversion of AFLP markers linked to Phytophtora root rot resistance into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. In conversion: one marker was successfully converted into a co-dominant SCAR marker SA133_4 linked to the trait. In bulked segregant analysis (BSA): three RAPD primers (UBC484, 504, and 553) produced polymorphisms between DNA pools among 400 primers screened. Genetic linkage analysis showed that the SCAR and RAPD markers were located on chromosome 5 of pepper. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis showed that the SA133_4 and UBC553 were linked to Phytophtora root rot resistance. These markers were correctly identified as resistant or susceptible in nine promising commercial pepper varieties. These markers will be beneficial for marker-assisted selection in pepper breeding.
Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis, which is a well-known and effective bio-insecticide, has attracted considerable attention as a potential biological control agent for the suppression of plant diseases. Treatment of tomato roots with the "filter-sterilized cell-free filtrate" (CF) of B. thuringiensis systemically suppresses bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum through systemic activation of the plant defense system. Comparative analysis of the expression of the Pathogenesis-Related 1 [PR-1(P6)] gene, a marker for induced resistance to pathogens, in various tissues of tomato plants treated with the CF on their roots suggests that the B. thuringiensis-induced defense system is activated in the leaf, stem, and main root tissues, but not in the lateral root tissues. At the same time, the growth of R. solanacearum was significantly suppressed in the CF-treated main root tissue but not in the CF-treated lateral root tissues. This distinct activation of the defense reaction and suppression of R. solanacearum was reflected in differences in the transcriptional profiles in the main and lateral tissues in response to the CF. In the CF-treated main root tissue, but not CF-treated lateral root tissue, the expression of several salicylic acid (SA)-responsive defense-related genes was specifically induced, whereas jasmonic acid (JA)-related genes were specifically down-regulated in response to the CF. On the other hand, the induction of genes encoding ethylene (ET)-related proteins occurred equally in both main and lateral root tissues. Taken together, the co-activation of SA-dependent signaling pathway with ET-dependent signaling pathway and suppression of JA-dependent signaling pathway may play keys roles in B. thuringiensis-induced resistance to R. solanacearum in tomato plants.
Abstract