Histochemical studies on the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (O2 and H2O2) in the incompatible and compatible interaction of wheat—Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

The generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were studied in the interaction between wheat cv. ‘Suwon 11’ and two races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (avirulent and virulent). Generation of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ was analyzed histochemically using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and 3,3-diamino-benzidine (DAB), respectively. At the pre-penetration stage during appressorium formation both stripe rust races induced H₂O₂ accumulation in guard cells. In the incompatible interaction, a rapid increase of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation at infection sites was detected. The percentage of infection sites showing NBT and DAB staining was 36.1% and 40.0%, respectively, 12 h after inoculation (hai). At extended incubation time until 24 hai, percentage of infection sites showing H₂O₂ accumulation further increased, whereas those exhibiting O₂⁻ accumulation declined. The early infection stage from 12 to 24 hai coincided with primary haustoria formation in mesophyll cells. In contrast, in the compatible interaction, O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation could not be detected in most of the infection sites. In the incompatible interaction, intensive DAB staining was also determined in mesophyll cells, especially in cell walls, surrounding the infected cells 16–24 hai; thereafter, these cells contained fluorescing compounds and underwent hypersensitive response (HR). The number of necrotic host cells surrounding the infection sites increased continuously from 20 to 96 hai. It might be concluded that H₂O₂ accumulation during the early infection stage is associated with the occurrence of hypersensitive cell death and that resistance response is leading to arrest the avirulent race of the obligate stripe rust pathogen. In the compatible interaction at 96 hai, H₂O₂ accumulation was observed in mesophyll cells surrounding the rust lesion.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis>- mediated reprogramming of oxidative stress response in root apoplast of sunflower enhances defence against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

Trichoderma harzianum is an effective biocontrol agent against the devastating plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Despite its wide application in agriculture, the mechanisms of biocontrol are not yet fully understood. Mycoparasitism and antibiosis are suggested, but may not be sole cause of disease reduction. In the present study, we investigated the role of oxidant-antioxidant metabolites in the root apoplast of sunflower challenged by R. solani in the presence/absence of T. harzianum NBRI-1055. Analysis of oxidative stress response revealed a reduction in hydroxyl radical concentration (^•OH; 3.6 times) at 9 days after pathogen inoculation (dapi), superoxide anion radical concentration (O₂^•−; 4.1 times) at 8 dapi and hydrogen peroxide concentration (H₂O₂; 2.7 times) levels at 7 dapi in plants treated with spent maize-cob formulation of T. harzianum NBRI-1055 (MCFT), as compared to pathogen-inoculated plants. The protection afforded by the biocontrol agent was associated with the accumulation of the ROS gene network: the catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and ascorbate peroxidase (APx), maximum activity of CAT (11.0 times) was observed at 8 dapi, SOD (7.0 times) at 7 dapi, GPx (5.4 times) and APx (8.1 times) at 7 dapi in MCFT-treated plants challenged with the pathogen. This was further supported by the inhibition of lipid and protein oxidation in Trichoderma-inoculated plants. MCFT stimulated the accumulation of secondary metabolites of phenolic nature that increased up to five-fold and also exhibited strong antioxidant activity at 8 dapi, eventually leading to the systemic accumulation of phytoalexins. These results suggest that T. harzianum–mediated biocontrol may be related to alleviating R. solani-induced oxidative stress.     

拟南芥转录因子IDD4不同突变体对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性分析

为明确IDD家族IDD4基因在拟南芥Arabidopsis thaliana抵抗灰葡萄孢菌Botrytis cinerea侵染过程中的作用,通过统计病情指数检测拟南芥野生型（wild type,WT）植株、过表达植株IDD4-OE和缺失突变体idd4植株感染灰葡萄孢菌情况,利用组织染色检测叶片细胞死亡和H₂O₂的积累情况,采用实时荧光定量PCR（real-time quantitative-PT-PCR,qRT-PCR）技术分析灰葡萄孢菌肌动蛋白基因Bc. ACTIN在3种植株叶片中的表达情况,并施加0.1 mmol/L外源水杨酸（salicylic acid,SA）后测定IDD4-OE植株的病情指数。结果显示,不同株系对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性由高到低依次为idd4＞WT＞IDD4-OE,IDD4-OE植株中病原菌感染部位的寄主细胞死亡程度比idd4植株严重。染色结果表明,病原菌侵染拟南芥后4 h,接种部位已有H₂O₂积累。qRT-PCR反应结果显示,Bc. ACTIN在IDD4-OE中比在idd4植株中的表达水平更高,表明灰葡萄孢菌在IDD4-OE植株中的繁殖速率更快。对IDD4-OE植株外源施加SA后,其病情指数、Bc. ACTIN表达量与WT植株间均无显著差异,说明SA能将感病植株的抗性提高至WT植株的水平,表明IDD4作为负调控因子参与了拟南芥对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性调控,SA在其中发挥着重要作用。     

Solar photo-inactivation of phytopathogens by trace level hydrogen peroxide and titanium dioxide photocatalysis

Plant pathogenic bacteria in recirculated greenhouse water were inactivated by two distinct photochemical approaches: photo-inactivation in the presence of 0.005% to 0.01% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and photocatalytic inactivation with 0.01% titanium dioxide (TiO₂). In both processes photo-inactivation is achieved by exposure to sunlight. Total inactivation, with 6–8 log units decrease in viable counts, was achieved in the study of the phytopathogensErwinia carotovora (E.c.), Clavibacter michiganensis (C.m.) andPseudomonas syringae pv.tomato (P.t.) by 10 to 30 min solar irradiation, in the presence of 0.15 to 0.3 mM (50–100 mgl ⁻¹) H₂O₂. Different responses of the examined pathogens towards TiO₂ photo-inactivation were noticed. Whereas 10 min of solar illumination in the presence of both 100 mgl ⁻¹ H₂O₂ and 100 mgl ⁻¹ TiO₂ resulted in total inactivation ofP.t. andE.c., this treatment had no effect onC.m. However, with traces of H₂O₂ (e.g. 50–100 mgl ⁻¹), and in the absence of TiO₂,C.m. was deactivated by 20 min of solar irradiation.P.t. was fully inactivated in the dark by H₂O₂ at 3,000 mgl ⁻¹ (0.3%), but not with H₂O₂ at ≤ 1000 mgl ⁻¹. Also, no inactivation occurred with solar illumination in the absence of H₂O₂. The mechanism of the bactericidal photoreaction and the special significance of plant pathogen inactivation by natural sunlight in the presence of trace levels of H₂O₂ is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 20, 2005.     

Induction of oxidants in tomato leaves treated with <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">DL</Emphasis>-β-Amino butyric acid (BABA) and infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clavibacter michiganensis</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">michiganensis</Emphasis>

Bacterial canker is an economically important disease of tomato. Resistance induced by DL-β-Amino butyric acid against bacterial canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis in tomato plants was investigated. Different doses of DL-β-Amino butyric acid (250–1000 μg ml⁻¹ doses) were tested on 3-week old plants inoculated with a 10⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ bacterial suspension, and disease development was evaluated after inoculation and treatment. Although in vitro growth of the bacteria was not affected by DL-β-Amino butyric acid treatment, foliage sprays of 500 μg ml⁻¹ DL-β-Amino butyric acid significantly suppressed disease development up to 54% by day 14 after inoculation at the four different doses tested. Bacterial populations were reduced by 84% in BABA-treated plants compared to water-treated plants by day 4 after inoculation. Inoculated BABA-treated plants showed significantly higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, peroxidase activity, and H₂O₂ concentration than inoculated water-treated plants during day 1 after treatment. These findings suggest that the DL-β-Amino butyric acid treatment resulted in an increase of these enzymes and in H₂O₂ concentration in planta, and was associated with induction of resistance to bacterial canker.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of oxidative burst and micronecrosis in resistance of wheat to brown rust infection

The accumulation of H₂O₂ (oxidative burst) and the progress of pathogen development were studied in compatible and incompatible wheat‐brown rust interactions. The accumulation of H₂O₂ was detected in 98·7% of guard cells with appressoria 8 h post inoculation (hpi). The reaction in both susceptible and resistant plants declined 2–3 days post inoculation (dpi). The second phase of the oxidative burst was observed in the mesophyll and/or epidermis. In susceptible plants it began 4–5 dpi and was detected only in the epidermis. In resistant plants the response was observed in the mesophyll. In moderately resistant plants it was induced 1–3 dpi, and the percentage of infection units reached 80–90% 8 dpi. This corresponded with severe necrotic symptoms. In highly resistant plants, the oxidative burst was short and transient. The percentage of infection units with H₂O₂ accumulation reached its highest level (60–70%) 2 dpi, and decreased thereafter. Four days later, the low percentage and weak DAB staining indicated very low H₂O₂ accumulation. The localization and the time‐course changes of the oxidative burst correlated with the profiles of the micronecrotic response, haustorium mother cell formation and pathogen development termination. An early and localized induction of oxidative burst followed by its rapid quenching correlated with high resistance and almost no disease symptoms. The possible correlation of the oxidative burst and pathogen development patterns with the level and durability of resistance conferred by Lr genes are discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sunflower Chlorotic Mottle Virus</Emphasis> in Compatible Interactions with Sunflower: ROS Generation and Antioxidant Response

Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SuCMoV) is a recently described potyvirus that causes systemic infections in sunflower plants leading to chlorotic mottling and important growth reductions and yield losses. Oxidative damage is expressed after symptom development in this host-pathogen combination. The involvement of antioxidant enzyme activities in disease susceptibility was studied in two sunflower lines differing in the intensity and rate of development of SuCMoV infections: L2 is more susceptible than L33. A transient superoxide production peak was detected in leaves of both lines before symptom development. H₂O₂ accumulation increased before symptom expression in infected plants of L33 but in L2 such increase was registered only after symptoms became evident. In healthy plants of both lines, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) showed similar activity levels. In inoculated plants of line L2, but not in L33, SOD and CAT activities increased significantly before the appearance of symptoms, and APX increases were detected later. A 1 mM SA treatment effectively decreased SuCMoV accumulation in plants of L2 but it did not affect it in L33. This treatment increased H₂O₂ accumulation and prevented the increase in antioxidant enzyme activities in infected plants of L2. It is suggested that increases in antioxidant enzyme activities interrupted the signals generated by the increase in ROS, which may have otherwise triggered defence reactions in the host and thus, resulted in a compatible interaction.     

Antioxidant,ethylene and membrane leakage responses to powdery mildew infection of near-isogenic barley lines with various types of resistance

Leaves of powdery mildew-susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Ingrid) and related near-isogenic lines bearing various resistance genes (Mla12, Mlg or mlo5) were inoculated with Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei race A6. Fungal attack induced several-fold increases in ethylene emission and electrolyte leakage in leaves of susceptible Ingrid beginning 3 days after inoculation. Activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymes were induced markedly in susceptible leaves 5–7 days after inoculation. Similar, but less pronounced pathogen-induced changes were detected in inoculated leaves of Mla-type resistant plants that show hypersensitive cell death upon inoculation, and, to an even lesser extent, in the Mlg and mlo lines, where no visible symptoms accompanied the incompatible interaction. Glutathione content increased only in susceptible barley 7 days after inoculation. Catalase activity, total ascorbate content and redox state were not influenced by inoculation in any of the genotypes. The activity of dehydroascorbate reductase was significantly reduced 3–5 days after inoculation in the susceptible parental plants and after 5 days in Mla and Mlg lines, while it was stable in the mlo barley. Slightly elevated levels of H₂O₂ were observed in the inoculated resistant plants. In contrast, H₂O₂ content decreased in the susceptible line 7 days after pathogen attack. These data indicate that high levels of antioxidants are involved in the compatible interaction of susceptible barley and powdery mildew by protecting the pathogen from oxidative damage.     

Evaluation of Induction of Systemic Resistance in Pepper Plants (Capsicum Annuum) to Phytophthora capsici Using Trichoderma harzianum and its Relation with Capsidiol Accumulation

The effect of pepper seed and root treatments with Trichoderma harzianum spores on necrosis caused in stems by Phytophthora capsici inoculation and on the course of capsidiol accumulation in the inoculated sites were studied. The results indicate that seed treatments significantly reduced stem necrosis, which fell by nearly a half compared with the values observed in plants grown from non-treated seeds. Necrosis was also reduced in plants whose roots were drenched with various doses of T. harzianum spores, although the extent of necrosis was not correlated with the dose used. Attempted isolation of P. capsici and T. harzianum from the zones immediately contiguous with the necrotic zones revealed the presence of the former but not of the latter, suggesting that there was no direct contact between them in the zones of isolation, which means that there was no competition for space. The percentage of P. capsici isolated 9 days after inoculation was greater in non-treated inoculated plants than in treated inoculated plants. These results suggest that T. harzianum, introduced into the subterranean part of the plant, induces a systemic defense response against P. capsici in the upper part of the plant. Analysis of capsidiol in the stems of treated inoculated plants by the end of the sixth day after inoculation, revealed that its concentration was more than seven-fold greater than in non-treated and inoculated plants, while after 9 days, the concentration of capsidiol decreased in the treated inoculated plants and increased in the non-treated inoculated plants. The high concentration of capsidiol detected in treated and inoculated stems after 6 days might be one of the contributing factors, but not necessarily the main factor, in delaying lesion development in the stems of pepper plants.     

向日葵与锈菌互作过程中活性氧的积累

为了探讨向日葵品种与锈菌互作中活性氧的产生和积累与向日葵抗锈病性的关系,采用分光光度计法及联苯胺蓝(DAB)、氮兰四唑(NBT)染色法对过氧化氢(H2O2)及超氧阴离子自由基(O2-)诱导积累的过程进行了检测.结果表明:接种后抗、感病品种均出现H2O2和O2-双峰,侵染早期积累明显,最高峰出现在16 h,在抗病品种中活性氧产生和积累明显高于感病品种;在抗病品种中侵染位点活性氧的产生及积累较明显,接种后16h,侵染位点周围的染色范围较大,染色较深,H2O2及O2-的染色比例均达到最高,分别为65.5%和41%;而在感病品种的侵染位点没有检测到明显的活性氧积累.     

Silicon-enhanced resistance to rice blast is attributed to silicon-mediated defence resistance and its role as physical barrier

A series of experiments were performed to study the effects of silicon (Si) on rice blast development, H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation in a controlled rice—Magnaporthe grisea pathosystem. Rice plants supplied with Si as a single dose immediately after pathogen inoculation (−/+Si) exhibited the same high protection against disease as plants treated continuously with Si for the whole growth period (+/+Si), with disease severity indices of 20.8% and 19.6%, respectively, which were significantly lower than that for the control treatment with no Si supplied (63.7%). A single application of Si to rice plants before inoculation (+/−Si) conferred partial protection (disease severity index of 33.3%) compared with the control treatment. Silicon induced a rapid but transient burst of H₂O₂ at 24 h after inoculation. The addition of Si to rice plants significantly altered the activities of catalase and lipoxygenase and the concentration of malodialdehyde (indicative of lipid peroxidation) in rice plants. We propose that rice plants may respond to Si by increased H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation. In turn, these responses are linked to host defence mechanisms such as lignin production, oxidative cross-linking in the cell wall, phytoalexin production, and the hypersensitive reaction. Thus, the mechanisms of Si-stimulated plant disease protection may extend beyond its established role in physically strengthening cell walls.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

BTH处理对甜瓜叶片活性氧代谢的诱导作用

为了明确活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）代谢在甜瓜抗病性诱导中的作用,以抗白粉病甜瓜品种Tam Dew和感病品种卡拉克赛幼苗为材料,通过盆栽试验研究了苯丙噻二唑（BTH）喷雾或白粉菌接种后甜瓜叶片超氧阴离子（O2.-）产生速率、过氧化氢（H2O2）含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）活性的变化。BTH处理或白粉菌接种均可诱导甜瓜叶片SOD、PAL活性升高,抑制CAT活性,导致叶组织O2.-产生速率和H2O2含量增加,BTH喷雾＋白粉菌接种比二者单独处理效果更好。结果表明,BTH处理后叶片O2.-产生速率提高和H2O2积累是甜瓜抗白粉病能力提高的重要机制,BTH通过诱导ROS代谢酶活性调节H2O2含量,且BTH诱导的甜瓜抗病性与品种的基础抗性有关。     

Photochemical damage and comparative performance of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in sugarcane leaves exposed to paraquat-induced oxidative stress

The physiological responses of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) to oxidative stress induced by methyl viologen (paraquat) were examined with respect to photochemical activity, chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. Thirty-day-old sugarcane plants were sprayed with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM methyl viologen (MV). Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured after 18 h and biochemical analyses were performed after 24 and 48 h. Concentrations of MV above 2 mM caused significant damage to photosystem II (PSII) activity. Potential and effective quantum efficiency of PSII and apparent electron transport rate were greatly reduced or practically abolished. Both chlorophyll and soluble protein contents steadily decreased with MV concentrations above 2 mM after 24 h of exposure, which became more pronounced after 48 h, achieving a 3-fold decrease. Insoluble protein contents were little affected by MV. Oxidative stress induced by MV was evidenced by increases in lipid peroxidation. Specific activity of SOD increased, even after 48 h of exposure to the highest concentrations of MV, but total activity on a fresh weight basis did not change significantly. Nondenaturing PAGE assayed with H₂O₂ and KCN showed that treatment with MV did not change Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD isoform activities. In contrast, APX specific activity increased at 2 mM MV but then dropped at higher doses. Oxidative damage induced by MV was inversely related to APX activity. It is suggested that the major MV-induced oxidative damages in sugarcane leaves were related to excess H₂O₂, probably in chloroplasts, caused by an imbalance between SOD and APX activities, in which APX was a limiting step. Reduced photochemical activity allowed the early detection of the ensuing oxidative stress.     

南方根结线虫侵染对黄瓜植株生长和抗氧化系统的影响

为探明野生黄瓜对南方根结线虫的抗性机制,采用温室盆栽苗期人工接种技术,研究了线虫侵染对黄瓜抗感品种植株生长和抗氧化系统的影响。南方根结线虫的侵染显著降低了感病品种津春4号的株高、叶面积、地上部鲜重与干重及根系活力,并显著增加其根系鲜重与干重,而对抗病品种西印度瓜的各项生长指标均未造成明显影响。西印度瓜中超氧阴离子(O.2-)、过氧化氢(H2O2)、电导率和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加幅度均小于津春4号,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性降低,过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性增加幅度均显著高于津春4号。研究表明西印度瓜遭受的氧化胁迫较小,其抗氧化系统有效清除了氧化损伤。     

Calcium reducesBotrytis c1nerea damages to plants ofRuscus hypoglossum

Plants ofRuscus hypoglossum L. were grown in containers with perlite, an inert medium, or with soil, under similar-to-commercial conditions, for three winter seasons. Constant fertilization with soluble calcium [Ca(NO₃)₂] through the root zone resulted in a reduction of up to 78% in postharvest rot caused by artificial inoculation withBotrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. Control plants were treated by fertilization with N,P,K and all other elements, identical to the fertilizer containing calcium. Foliar application of Ca(NO₃)₂ to ruscus bushes or application of this compound or of CaCl₂ or CaSO₄ to mature cut branches standing in water, resulted also in a significant reduction in postharvest phylloclade rot. Application of CaSO₄ and Ca(H2PO₄)₂ + CaSO₄ to ruscus plants, from fertilizers containing 22% Ca and releasing the cation gradually, effectively reduced the susceptibility of cut branches to infection by_{B. cinerea.}     

稀土钆对硝酸盐胁迫下西瓜幼苗抗氧化酶活性等生理特性的影响

采用硝酸盐[Ca(NO_3)_2]胁迫处理,研究了稀土钆[Gd_2(CO_3)_3]对嫁接西瓜幼苗生长与相关生理特性的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,Ca(NO3)2胁迫下嫁接西瓜幼苗叶片超氧阴离子(O·2)产生速率及过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)含量增加,膜透性增强,致使其净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和蒸腾速率(Tr)分别显著下降64.2%、81.6%、27.1%和71.5%,幼苗干物质积累减少38.9%,生长显著受抑。叶面喷施Gd_2(CO_3)_3可提高Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下嫁接西瓜幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)等抗氧化酶活性,降低O·2产生速率、H2O2和MDA含量及细胞膜透性,缓解Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下Pn、Gs、Tr值的下降幅度,促进干物质的积累,幼苗干重增加29.2%,生长加快。可见,Gd2(CO3)3可通过调节Ca(NO3)2胁迫下嫁接西瓜幼苗抗氧化性,减少其膜脂过氧化程度,进而维持其较高的光合性能,有效促进了Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下嫁接西瓜幼苗的生长。     

Differential induction of pathogenesis-related proteins in banana in response to Mycosphaerella fijiensis infection

Black leaf streak or “black Sigatoka” is one of the most important diseases affecting bananas and plantains worldwide. Very few studies have been published on the host-pathogen interaction of this pathosystem, particularly at the molecular level. The aim of this work was to analyze, under controlled conditions, the enzyme activity of peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), β-1, 3-glucanase (GLU) and chitinase (CHI) as well as the production of H₂O₂ in banana plants infected with Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Defence responses were examined and compared in a resistant (Calcutta 4) and a susceptible (Williams) cultivar. Plants were inoculated and tested for enzyme activity at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 and 72?h after infection (HAI) and 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18?days after inoculation (DAI). A rapid induction of PAL, POX and GLU was observed in the resistant cultivar at 6–18 HAI as well as H₂O₂ production at 72 HAI. In contrast, in the susceptible cultivar, induction of these enzymes was only observed from 6 DAI. These results suggest that the first 72 HAI are important in determining the response of the host to the disease. Further studies characterizing banana responses to M. fijiensis at the early stages of the infection are necessary in order to better understand this host-pathogen interaction.