Identification of differentially expressed genes in the mutualistic association of tall fescue with Neotyphodium coenophialum

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum), an agronomically important forage grass, is typically associated with a mutualistic asexual fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum. Plant colonization is endophytic with no symptoms, and fungal growth is confined to the intercellular spaces. The endophyte enhances host fitness by providing protection from various abiotic and biotic stresses and by improving nutrient acquisition. By suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) we identified 29 genes that are up-regulated or down-regulated in endophyte-infected tall fescue as compared to endophyte-free tall fescue. Of the genes that had matches to known genes present in the NCBI databases (approximately 50%), several had roles related to plant defense and stress tolerance. Differential expression of these genes was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, competitive RT-PCR, and northern hybridization. Endophyte-associated changes in gene expression patterns were consistent among cultivars of tall fescue but differed in some other grass–endophyte associations. Our results indicate that both partners in this symbiosis are active participants, and that the endophyte may be suppressing at least one plant defense gene (putatively encoding PR-10). Further analyses of the differentially expressed genes should aid in understanding the fundamental nature of this mutualistic symbiosis and provide insight into the mechanisms of documented endophyte-enhanced plant improvements.     

Resistance of wheat to Mycosphaerella graminicola involves early and late peaks of gene expression

Large-scale cDNA-AFLP profiling identified numerous genes with increased expression during the resistance response of wheat to the Septoria tritici blotch fungus, Mycosphaerella graminicola. To test whether these genes were associated with resistance responses, primers were designed for the 14 that were most strongly up-regulated, and their levels of expression were measured at 12 time points from 0 to 27 days after inoculation (DAI) in two resistant and two susceptible cultivars of wheat by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. None of these genes was expressed constitutively in the resistant wheat cultivars. Instead, infection of wheat by M. graminicola induced changes in expression of each gene in both resistant and susceptible cultivars over time. The four genes chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, pathogenesis-related protein PR-1, and peroxidase were induced from about 10- to 60-fold at early stages (3 h–1 DAI) during the incompatible interactions but were not expressed at later time points. Nine other genes (ATPase, brassinosteroid-6-oxidase, peptidylprolyl isomerase, peroxidase 2, 40S ribosomal protein, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, putative protease inhibitor, methionine sulfoxide reductase, and an RNase S-like protein precursor) had bimodal patterns with both early (1–3 DAI) and late (12–24 DAI) peaks of expression in at least one of the resistant cultivars, but low if any induction in the two susceptible cultivars. The remaining gene (a serine carboxypeptidase) had a trimodal pattern of expression in the resistant cultivar Tadinia. These results indicate that the resistance response of wheat to M. graminicola is not completed during the first 24 h after contact with the pathogen, as thought previously, but instead can extend into the period from 18 to 24 DAI when fungal growth increases dramatically in compatible interactions. Many of these genes have a possible function in signal transduction or possibly as regulatory elements. Expression of the PR-1 gene at 12 h after inoculation was much higher in resistant compared to susceptible recombinant-inbred lines (RILs) segregating for the Stb4 and Stb8 genes for resistance. Therefore, analysis of gene expression could provide a faster method for separating resistant from susceptible lines in research programs. Significant differential expression patterns of the defense-related genes between the resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars and RILs after inoculation with M. graminicola suggest that these genes may play a major role in the resistance mechanisms of wheat.     

Defense strategies of pea embryo axes with different levels of sucrose to Fusarium oxysporum and Ascochyta pisi

The aim of this study was to compare the defense responses of embryo axes of Pisum sativum L. cv. Kwestor with different sucrose levels to pathogenic fungi, i.e. systemic acting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi and locally acting Ascochyta pisi. Embryo axes were cultured on Heller medium for 96 h. Four variants were compared: these included inoculated embryo axes cultured with or without 60 mM sucrose (+Si and −Si) and non-inoculated embryo axes cultured with or without 60 mM sucrose (+Sn and −Sn). After inoculation of the pea embryo axes with pathogenic fungi a generally higher concentration of free radicals was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), in comparison to non-inoculated embryo axes. The inoculation with F. oxysporum caused stronger generation of free radicals in −Si than in +Si embryo axes. A different response was observed after inoculation with A. pisi; starting from 48 h, the concentration of free radicals in +Si axes was found to be 1.5 times higher than in −Si embryo axes. The values of spectroscopic splitting coefficients for these radicals suggest that they are semiquinone radicals. The EPR method also revealed Mn²⁺ ion accumulation after 24 h of culture. Over time, high levels of these ions were recorded in +Si embryo axes inoculated with F. oxysporum, while in +Si embryo axes inoculated with A. pisi they decreased. Up to 48 h after inoculation with the pathogenic fungi, Mn²⁺ ion levels were higher in +Si embryo axes than in +Sn axes. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) increased in +Si embryo axes up to 72 h after inoculation with pathogenic fungi; however, it was generally lower than in +Sn axes. Catalase activity (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) increased up to 72 h after inoculation with F. oxysporum and the values were higher than in the non-inoculated tissue. Especially high activity of this enzyme was noted in −Si embryo axes after inoculation with either F. oxysporum or A. pisi. Peroxidase activity (POX, EC 1.11.1.7) towards pyrogallol in embryo axes increased during culture; however, it was lower or similar to that in non-inoculated embryo axes. SOD, CAT and POX zymograms showed that the synthesis of new isoforms was induced after inoculation with pathogenic fungi. Peroxidase isozymes detected by the reaction with diaminobenzidine in native PAGE were intensely stained in +Si embryo axes after inoculation with pathogenic fungi. Respiratory activity of the inoculated tissues was considerably higher than in non-inoculated tissues. The respiration rate was generally much higher in +Si than in −Si embryo axes. Growth of −Si embryo axes was more significantly retarded as a consequence of inoculation than that of +Si embryo axes.These results indicate that, depending on the manner of influence of a pathogenic fungus, both similar and differing defensive strategies may be initiated and a raised sugar levels in pea tissues limit the development of F. oxysporum and A. pisi.     

Glomus intraradices, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, and Bacillus pumilus: effective agents for the control of root-rot disease complex of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The effects of Glomus intraradices, Pseudomonas alcaligenes and Bacillus pumilus on the root-rot disease complex caused by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the root-rot fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in chickpea was assessed by quantifying differences in the shoot dry mass, pod number, nodulation, and shoot content of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Inoculation of plants with G. intraradices, P. alcaligenes and B. pumilus alone and in combination significantly increased shoot dry mass, pod number, and content of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in plants inoculated with pathogens over that in the uninoculated control plants. P. alcaligenes caused a greater increase in shoot dry mass, pod number, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in plants with pathogens than did G. intraradices or B. pumilus. Combined application of G. intraradices, P. alcaligenes and B. pumilus to plants inoculated with pathogens caused a greater increase in shoot dry mass, pod number, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than did an application of P. alcaligenes plus B. pumilus or of G. intraradices plus B. pumilus. Root colonization by G. intrardices was high when used alone, while inoculation with the pathogens reduced root colonization by G. intraradices. In the presence of P. alcaligenes and B. pumilus, root colonization by G. intraradices increased. In plants inoculated with just one antagonist, P. alcaligenes reduced galling and nematode multiplication the most, followed by G. intraradices, then B. pumilus. The greatest reduction in galling, nematode multiplication and root-rot was observed when both bacterial species and G. intraradices were applied together.     

Tolerance to a non-host isolate of Verticillium dahliae in tomato

Tolerance to Verticillium spp. is a condition in which a host plant develops few symptoms despite substantial colonization by the pathogen. In the present paper we have shown that Craigella tomatoes are tolerant to a non-host isolate of V. dahliae, Dvd E6. Symptom expression was used to quantify disease and quantitative PCR to assess the amount of fungus in the stems. The classical incompatible and compatible interactions between Craigella resistant or Craigella susceptible near isolines and V. dahliae, race 1 were used for comparative purposes. Additional experiments using cytological assessment and quantitative PCR showed that in the tolerant interactions one plant defence response, vascular coating, was deployed as effectively as in resistant plants, limiting pathogen distribution. However, a second defence response, which causes the cyclical elimination of fungus from the stem in the classical interactions either does not occur or is substantially delayed in tolerant plants. Thus, the Verticillium population remains stable and substantial throughout the studied time course.     

Variability in reproductive fitness and virulence of four Radopholus similis nematode populations associated with plantains and banana (Musa spp.) in Uganda

Burrowing nematodes (Radopholus similis) are among the most serious nematode pests affecting banana and plantain (Musa spp.). In Uganda, bananas, which are known locally as “matooke”, are the main staple. Radopholus similis populations collected in four banana-growing locations (Namulonge, Mbarara, Ikulwe and Mukono) were cultured monoxenically on carrot discs, and we compared the variability in reproductive fitness and virulence (as a function of time and inoculum level) of different populations of R. similis from Uganda. Their level of pathogenicity was determined by assessing the nematode reproductive ratio; that is, final population divided by the initial population. These in vitro experiments showed that the R. similis population from Mbarara had the highest reproduction ratio, while the population from Mukono had the lowest reproduction ratio. This assessment along with pathogenicity experiments on host Musa plants provides a means for defining pathogenicity groups among R. similis populations.     

枯草芽孢杆菌TR21对香蕉抗病相关基因表达的诱导作用

广谱抗真菌枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis菌株TR21在温室和大田对香蕉枯萎病具有较好的防效,其机制已证明与诱导香蕉产生系统抗性有关。本文以巴西蕉（Musa AAA Cavendish subgroup cv.Brazil）为材料,利用半定量RT-PCR法,以香蕉25S rRNA基因为内标,研究灌根接种菌株TR21后对香蕉根系4种抗病相关基因表达的影响。结果表明,PAL、POD、PR-3和PR-1基因在接种后表达水平均表现上调趋势,但PAL和POD基因的表达增幅明显高于PR-3和PR-1基因。PAL和POD基因在接种后12 h表达量最高,与TR21在香蕉根部的定殖规律表现出一致性。系统诱导抗性是枯草芽孢杆菌TR21防治香蕉枯萎病的机制之一。     

长枝木霉菌株TL16防治南方根结线虫的作用机理

为探明长枝木霉Trichoderma longibrachiatum菌株TL16防治南方根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita的作用机理,采用原生质体转化法获得绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)标记菌株GFP-TL16,通过测定菌株TL16和GFP-TL16对南方根结线虫卵和2龄幼虫(2nd-stage juvenile,J2)的寄生与致死作用,其发酵液对卵孵化的抑制作用和对J2的致死作用,以及菌株GFP-TL16在黄瓜根系的定殖情况和菌株TL16对番茄根结形成的抑制作用来综合分析其作用机理。结果显示:菌株TL16菌丝对南方根结线虫卵无寄生作用,处理19 d后卵降解率为26.33%,致死作用较低;菌株TL16分生孢子悬浮液处理南方根结线虫J2后72 h的致死率为1.65%,且无寄生作用。菌株TL16发酵液处理南方根结线虫J2后48 h的校正死亡率为10.71%,处理卵15 d后对卵孵化的相对抑制率为77.11%。菌株GFP-TL16可定殖于黄瓜根系中,经菌株TL16处理后接种南方根结线虫J2,番茄根结减退率为55.88%。表明长枝木霉菌株TL16可通过抑制根结线虫卵孵化和诱导番茄产生抗病性来防治根结线虫病。     

一株生防内生真菌的分离筛选、鉴定及抑菌特性

为获取优良植物病害生防菌,以交链孢菌Alternaria tenuis Ness和尖镰孢菌Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht为指示菌,采用平板对峙培养法、抑菌圈法和菌落直径法对健康龙柏鳞叶小枝中分离的4株优势内生真菌进行了筛选评价,并结合形态学观察及ITS序列分析对筛选出的生防内生真菌进行了鉴定。结果表明,对峙培养发现1菌株对交链孢菌和尖镰孢菌均具有较好的抑制作用,抑菌率分别为52.05%和48.65%,标记其为LB-1;LB-1菌株与指示菌对峙培养的菌落交界面处,2种指示菌的菌丝均出现了消解、断裂,而LB-1的菌丝则生长正常。未灭菌LB-1菌株发酵液对交链孢菌和尖镰孢菌产生的抑菌圈直径分别为14.1 mm和13.7 mm,抑菌率分别为47.89%和48.72%;灭菌LB-1菌株发酵液对交链孢菌和尖镰孢菌的抑菌圈直径分别为15.3 mm和15.0 mm,抑菌率分别为5.96%和33.90%,指示菌在生长过程中菌丝溶解现象明显。经鉴定,LB-1菌株为毛壳菌属Chaetomium中的近缘毛壳菌C.subaffine,是一种极具生防潜力的内生真菌,其抑菌特性可能通过溶菌作用实现。     

Expression of the tobacco β-1,3-glucanase gene, PR-2d, following induction of SAR with Peronospora tabacina

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is induced following inoculation of Peronospora tabacina sporangia into the stems of Nicotiana tabacum plants highly susceptible to the pathogen. Previous results have shown that accumulation of acidic β-1,3-glucanases (PR-2's) following induction of SAR by P. tabacina may contribute to resistance to P. tabacina. We showed that up-regulation of the PR-2 gene, PR-2d, following stem inoculation with P. tabacina, is associated with SAR. Studies using plants transformed with GUS constructs containing the full length promoter from PR-2d or promoter deletions, provided evidence that a previously characterized regulatory element that is involved in response to salicylic acid (SA), may be involved in regulation of PR-2d following induction of SAR with P. tabacina. This work provides evidence that regulation of PR-2 genes during P. tabacina-induced SAR may be similar to regulation of these genes during infection of N-gene tobacco by TMV or following exogenous application of SA, and provides further support for the role of SA in regulation of genes during P. tabacina-induced SAR.     

Occurrence of an antifungal principle in the root extract of a Bayoud — resistant date palm cultivar

An hexane extract from roots of Black Boo Stammi, a cultivar of date palm, resistant toFusarium oxysporum f. sp.albedinis, contained substances which inhibited the spore germination and the growth of the germ tubes of the three isolates of the pathogen that were tested. Extract from roots of Jihel, a susceptible cultivar, lacked these substances.Samenvatting In een hexaanextract van wortels van de dadelpalm, cv. Black Boo Stammi die resistent is tegen de Bayoudziekte, bevonden zich stoffen die de sporekieming en de groei van kiembuizen onderdrukken. Dit gold voor alle drie isolaten vanFusarium oxysporum f. sp.albedinis, die werden getoetst. In extracten van de vatbare cultivar Jihel werden de kieming en de groei niet geremd.     

寡雄腐霉GAQ1对辣椒疫病的防效及对辣椒的促生作用

为明确自主分离的生防菌株寡雄腐霉Pythium oligandrum GAQ1对辣椒疫病的生防效果及其防御机制,通过平板拮抗和盆栽防效试验测定寡雄腐霉菌株GAQ1对辣椒疫霉Phytophthora capsici菌丝的拮抗作用、对辣椒疫病的防效和对辣椒的促生效果,同时应用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测菌株GAQ1处理后辣椒抗性基因表达的变化。结果表明,寡雄腐霉菌株GAQ1的菌丝可以缠绕并吸附寄生在辣椒疫霉菌丝表面或穿入菌丝体内,使辣椒疫霉菌丝细胞死亡;菌株GAQ1发酵液处理辣椒离体叶片再接种辣椒疫霉后产生的病斑直径较对照组显著减少,离体防效为30.79%;接种菌株GAQ1菌丝球后,辣椒疫病的病情指数较对照组显著降低,盆栽防效达69.16%;经菌株GAQ1处理辣椒后可诱导相关抗性基因PR1、WRKY40、WRKY53、ACCO和GST的相对表达量出现不同程度的升高,说明菌株GAQ1可诱导辣椒植株产生不同程度的防御系统应答。菌株GAQ1对辣椒具有良好的促生效果,处理后第5周其株高、株重及根重分别较对照组提高10.11%、33.23%和24.72%,其叶片中叶绿素a、叶绿素b及类胡萝卜素的含量分...     

Allelism of theFcu-1 andFoc genes conferring resistance to fusarium wilt in cucumber

The inheritance of resistance toFusarium oxysporum f.sp.cucumerinum race 1 was determined in the cucumber cv. WIS-248 by analyzing segregation of F₁, F₂, and BC populations of crosses with the susceptible cv. Straight-8. Resistance was conferred by a single dominant gene. In an allelism test, it was proven that theFcu-1 gene, which confers resistance toF. oxysporum f.sp.cucumerinum races 1 and 2 in cucumber cv. SMR-18 and theFoc gene, which confers resistance toF. oxysporum f.sp.cucumerinum race 2 in cucumber cv. WIS-248, are indistinguishable.     

尖孢镰刀菌侵染对马铃薯光合效率和叶绿素荧光参数影响

为研究枯萎病对马铃薯光合特性的影响,在幼苗期接种尖孢镰刀菌Fusarium oxysporum后,统计抗病品种陇薯10号和感病品种新大坪的病情指数,并测定叶绿素含量、光合及荧光参数。结果表明,尖孢镰刀菌侵染30 d后马铃薯表现出枯萎病症状,叶绿素含量显著降低,其中叶绿素a含量降幅最大,抗病品种陇薯10号比对照降低9.64%,感病品种新大坪比对照降低14.24%。尖孢镰刀菌侵染后马铃薯光合效率显著降低,侵染30 d后,抗病品种陇薯10号净光合速率比对照降低39.56%,感病品种新大坪比对照降低47.13%。病株的光响应曲线参数光补偿点、暗呼吸速率和表观量子效率都显著提高;而光饱和点和最大净光合速率都显著低于对照,表明尖孢镰刀菌侵染缩小了马铃薯对光能的利用有效范围。病株CO2响应曲线参数CO2饱和点、最大净光合速率和羧化效率分别显著低于对照;病株CO2补偿点和光呼吸速率反而升高,说明碳同化过程受到尖孢镰刀菌的限制。暗适应下的初始荧光、最小荧光、最大荧光、PSII最大光化学效率、光适应下PSII最大光化学效率及实际光化学效率、光化学猝灭系数、非光化学猝灭系数和光合电子传递速率均显著低于对照,...     

Purification of polygalacturonases produced by the pear scab pathogens, Venturia nashicola and Venturia pirina

An exopolygalacturonase and three endopolygalacturonases were purified from mycelia of pear scab pathogens, Venturia pirina and Venturia nashicola. The molecular weight of the isolated exoPG from V. pirina was 43 kDa, and the endoPGs from V. nashicola were 42 kDa as estimated by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pH optimum of the exoPG activity from V. pirina was 5.0. TheK_m and V_maxvalues of the exoPG were 0.08 mg ml⁻¹and 4.44 × 10⁻³ mmol reducing group min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the exoPG from V. pirina was similar to that of the exoPG from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, and the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the three endoPGs fromV. nashicola races 1, 2 and 3 were similar to other fungal endoPGs with a conserved motif of ASxxxTFTxAAAxxxG.