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SA, ABA and Pseudomonas fluorescens elicit defense responses in tomato against Alternaria blight

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Abstract

Alternaria blight causes significant losses in tomato. High disease severity during fruiting stage restricts the applicability of chemicals. Chemical pesticides can be substituted by resistance inducing agents. In present investigation, two resistance inducing agents namely Salicylic acid and Abscisic acid and a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens strain PBAT-2 (Psf) were used to assess their effect on Alternaria blight disease severity through the activity of defense-related compounds i.e. Peroxidase (POD), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), Phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL), total phenolic content along with pathogenesis-related gene PR-1 and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) gene expression in tomato. SA, ABA and Psf reduced disease severity significantly as compared to control. A significant increase in the activity of POD, PPO, PAL and total phenol content was recorded in all the three treatments over control. POD, PPO, PAL levels were significantly high at 24 h and 48 h post Alternaria solani inoculation, whereas total phenolic content increased up to 72 h. The expression of PR-1 and GLU gene was upregulated at 24 h post A. solani inoculation in SA and ABA treated leaves. However, these genes were unexpressed in Psf treated plants which confirms the role of SA and ABA in systemic acquired resistance. These findings suggest that SA, ABA and Psf can be used in early blight management in tomato without affecting the quality of the fruit.

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Abbreviations

µg:

Micro gram

µL:

Micro litre

ABA:

Abscissic acid

GLU:

β-1, 3-Glucanase

ISR:

Induced systemic resistance

PAL:

Phenyl ammonia lyase

PDI:

Per cent Disease Index

POD:

Peroxidase

PPO:

Polyphenol oxidase

PR-1:

Pathogenesis related

Psf:

Pseudomonas fluorescens

SA:

Salicylic acid

SAR:

Systemic acquired resistance

U:

Unit

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Acknowledgement

This research programme was funded by Seed Pathology Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. We extend our gratitude to the In-charge, Stress Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar for providing all laboratory facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bihar Agriculture University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, 813210, India

    Nishant Prakash

  2. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, 263145, India

    Karuna Vishunavat & Gohar Taj Khan

  3. ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 71002, India

    Pramod Prasad

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  1. Nishant Prakash
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Prakash, N., Vishunavat, K., Khan, G.T. et al. SA, ABA and Pseudomonas fluorescens elicit defense responses in tomato against Alternaria blight. J. Plant Biochem. Biotechnol. 30, 13–25 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13562-020-00564-x

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