Plant Resistance Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

- by
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- Ecology, Biological Sciences, Plant Resistance, Environmental Sciences

Background: Root-knot nematodes are sedentary endoparasites that can infect more than 3000 plant species. Root-knot nematodes cause an estimated $100 billion annual loss worldwide. For successful establishment of the root-knot nematode in its host plant, it causes dramatic morphological and physiological changes in plant cells. The expression of some plant genes is altered by the nematode as it establishes its feeding site. Results: We examined the expression of soybean (Glycine max) genes in galls formed in roots by the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, 12 days and 10 weeks after infection to understand the effects of infection of roots by M. incognita. Gene expression was monitored using the Affymetrix Soybean GeneChip containing 37,500 G. max probe sets. Gene expression patterns were integrated with biochemical pathways from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes using PAICE software. Genes encoding enzymes involved in carbohydrate and cell wall metabolism, cell cycle control and plant defense were altered. Conclusions: A number of different soybean genes were identified that were differentially expressed which provided insights into the interaction between M. incognita and soybean and into the formation and maintenance of giant cells. Some of these genes may be candidates for broadening plants resistance to root-knot nematode through over-expression or silencing and require further examination.

- by Benjamin Matthews and +1
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- Carbon, Gene expression, Energy Metabolism, Biological Sciences

We used a dataset of 164 titles comprising 146 primary publications, 16 congress proceedings and 2 unpublished studies on grass endophytes published or conducted between 1982-2004. We compiled the reference database from narrative reviews of the topic, keyword searches in the Web of Science, reference sections of published papers and information gathered by networking with our colleagues over the past 15 years.

- by Marjo Helander and +1
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- Research Design, Plant Biology, Symbiosis, Plant Resistance

O ur ohjective is to descrihe a multi-layer model of C.r canopy processes that effectively simulates houri)' C02 :uul latent ener gy (U~) lluxcs in a mixed deciduous Quercus-Acer (oak-maple) st'.111d in c~ntral l\ l~1ssac~1u selts, US/\. The key hy pothesis J!OVe rnmg the b1oloA1cal component of the model is Urnt stomata! conductance (g,.) is var ied s o that d ail y carbon uptake per unit of foliar nit r oj:!en is maximized wit hin the limitations of ca1101>Y water avr1ilability. T he h ydraulic system is modelled as :m a nalo~ue to simple electr ical circuits in parallel. includinJ! a separate soil hydraulic resistance. plant resistance and plant capacitance for each c:m op y layer. Stomata! openin(! is initially controlled to conserve plant water stores and delay the o nset or water stress. Stomata! clos ure at :i threshold minimum l~1f water potential prevents xyle m cavitation and contr ols the maximum r:itc of wate r llux through the h ydraulic system. We show a strong correlat ion between predicted hourly C0 2 exchange rate (r2 = 0•86) and LE (r 2 = 0•87) with independent whole-forest measurements made by the eddy correlation method during the s ummer of 1992. Our theoretical derivation s hows that observed relationships between C0 2 assimilation a nd LE nux can he explained on the basis of s tomata! behaviour 01>timizing c:irhon gain, and provides mt exi>licit link hetwecn canopy structure, soil pro1>erties. atmos pheric conditions and stomatal conductance.

- by Steven Wofsy
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- Photosynthesis, Modeling, Water Availability, Biological Sciences

New insights into the phenomenon of systemic acquired resistance have been gained in recent years, by the use of techniques in molecular genetics and biology that have replaced the largely descriptive approach of earlier work. The isolation of mutants in the signal transduction pathway from induction to expression of resistance as well as the use of transgenic plants over-expressing or suppressing the expression of putative candidate genes involved in systemic acquired resistance and its signalling have identified several steps in the establishment of plant resistance. In this review the latest developments implicating salicylic acid as a signal molecule in systemic resistance are discussed and contrasted with new signalling pathways which, seemingly, are based on alternative mechanisms.

- by Brigitte Mauch-Mani
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- Plant Biology, Tobacco, Ecology, Molecular Genetics

Coffee arabica, arabica coffee, coffee berry disease, Colletotrichum coffeanum, resistance breeding.

- by Herbert Van der Vossen
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- Technology, Biological Sciences, Plant Resistance, Correlation coefficient

Effects of decomposers on plant growth are generally ascribed to nutrient mobilization. However, Collembola, which are ubiquitous and abundant decomposers in soil, are known to alter root morphology with, in some cases, the nutrient content of plants remaining unaffected. We studied the interaction of Collembola (Protaphorura fimata) with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in order to link phenotypic responses of A. thaliana to decomposers using changes in gene expression. Collembola reduced the growth of A. thaliana during early growth stages, but this decrease was compensated later. Expression analyses revealed striking differences in the response of plant roots and shoots three and six days after exposure of Arabidopsis to Collembola. Among the specifically affected transcripts in roots, the induction of auxin-responsive genes was significantly increased after six days, suggesting that P. fimata provoked auxin-related signalling in roots. In shoots, transcriptional changes were more diverse and functional categories involved in defence and metabolic re-arrangements were significantly affected. These responses might have been related to the transitory reduction in growth which presumably was caused by Collembola feeding on and/or damaging roots. The results suggest that Collembola may improve plant resistance against the attack by herbivores by stimulating the production of secondary compounds while concomitantly compensating the costs of producing them by fostering root growth and nutrient exploitation.

- by Gerhard Welzl
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- Gene expression, Arabidopsis thaliana, Biological Sciences, Plant Resistance
- by David Bergvinson
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- Genetics, Genomics, Plant Biology, Biology
- by Derly J. H Silva and +1
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- Plant Resistance, Tomato, Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry, Scientia

Because the term stress is used, most often subjectively, with various meanings, this paper first attempts to clarify the physiological definition, and the appropriate terms as responses in different situations. The flexibility of normal metabolism allows the development of responses to environmental changes which fluctuate regularly and predictably over daily and seasonal cycles. Thus every deviation of a factor from its optimum does not necessarily result in stress. Stress begins with a constraint or with highly unpredictable fluctuations imposed on regular metabolic patterns that cause bodily injury, disease, or aberrant physiology. Stress is the altered physiological condition caused by factors that tend to alter an equilibrium. Strain is any physical and/or chemical change produced by a stress, i.e. every established condition, which forces a system away from its thermodynamic optimal state. The paper secondly summarises the Strasser's state-change concept which is precisely that suboptimality is the driving force for acclimation (genotype level) or adaptation (population level) to stress. The paper continues with the actual knowledge on the mechanisms of stress recognition and cell signalling. Briefly: plasma membranes are the sensors of environmental changes; phytohormones and second messengers are the transducers of information from membranes to metabolism; carbon balance is the master integrator of plant response; betwixt and between, some genes are expressed more strongly, whereas others are repressed. Reactive oxygen species play key roles in up-and down-regulation of metabolism and structure. The paper shows finally that the above concepts can be applied to plant tissue cultures where the accumulating physiological and genetical deviations (from a normal plant behaviour) are related to the stressing conditions of the in vitro culture media and of the confined environment. The hyperhydrated state of shoots and the cancerous state of cells, both induced under conditions of stress in in vitro cultures, are identified and detailed, because they perfectly illustrate the stressinduced state-change concept. It is concluded that stress responses include either pathologies or adaptive advantages. Stress may thus contain both destructive and constructive elements: it is a selection factor as well as a driving force for improved resistance and adaptive evolution.

- by C. Kevers and +1
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- Thermodynamics, Plant Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, Environmental Change

Agricultural production continues to be constrained by a number of biotic and abiotic factors that can reduce crop yield quantity and quality. Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient that affects most of the biochemical and physiological processes that influence plant growth and metabolism. It also contributes to the survival of plants exposed to various biotic and abiotic stresses. The following review focuses on the emerging role of K in defending against a number of biotic and abiotic stresses, including diseases, pests, drought, salinity, cold and frost and waterlogging. The availability of K and its effects on plant growth, anatomy, morphology and plant metabolism are discussed. The physiological and molecular mechanisms of K function in plant stress resistance are reviewed. This article also evaluates the potential for improving plant stress resistance by modifying K fertilizer inputs and highlights the future needs for research about the role of K in agriculture.

- by 懿郑
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- Biochemistry, Abiotic Stress, Plant Resistance, Biotic Stress

The literature on whole-plant acclimation to drought is reviewed and it is proposed that leaf-level homeostasis in water status is attained during ontogeny largely thanks to whole-plant changes in physical resistance to liquid water flow caused by morphological and anatomical adjustments. It is shown that, in response to water deficits, plant resistance changes at different levels (tissue, organ, individual), levels that are correlated with the time scale of the response. It was found that such adjustments apparently tend to increase resistance to flow in the short term and to reduce it in the long term. A critical view of those findings is provided based on the principle that drought-induced changes cannot be analysed separately from the allometric changes that take place through ontogeny, as for example proposed by the widely cited hydraulic limitation hypothesis. A graphic synthetic model is presented according to which developmental responses to water deficits operate largely through reductions in wholeplant water transport capacity, combined with more or less strong reductions in leaf area (different 'hydraulic allometries'), depending on the intrinsic tolerance of leaf tissues to partial desiccation. The model is used to show that, as the result of such adjustments, the water transport capacity per unit leaf area can decrease, remain constant, or increase, and it is argued that the expected leaf-level response would be different in each case, respectively involving a decreased, constant, or increased potential for transpiration. The article ends with a plea to collect the evidence needed to evaluate the occurrence of these three different response types across taxa and their association with different environments, including the reanalysis of existing data.

- by Roberto J. Fernández
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- Water, Plant Biology, Plant Resistance, Experimental Botany

Plant-parasitic nematodes are pests of a wide range of economically important crops, causing severe losses to agriculture. Natural genetic resistance of plants is expected to be a valid solution of the many problems nematodes cause all over the world. Progress in resistance applications is particularly important for the less-developed countries of tropical and subtropical regions, since use of resistant cultivars may be the only possible and economically feasible control strategy in those farming systems. Resistance is being considered of particular importance also in modern high-input production systems of developed countries, as the customary reliance on chemical nematicides has been restricted or has come to an end. This review briefly describes the genetic bases of resistance to nematodes in plants and focuses on the chances and problems of its exploitation as a key element in an integrated management program. Much space is dedicated to the major problem of resistance durability, in that the intensive use of resistant cultivars is likely to increasingly induce the selection of virulent populations able to “break” the resistance. Protocols of pest-host suitability are described, as bioassays are being used to evaluate local nematode populations in their potential to be selected on resistant germplasm and endanger resistant crops. The recent progress in using robust and durable resistances against nematodes as an efficient method for growers in vegetable cropping systems is reported, as well as the possible use of chemicals that do not show any unfavorable impact on environment, to induce in plants resistance against plant-parasitic nematodes.

- by Hero Oka
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- Genetics, Plant Biology, Integrated Pest Management, Innate immunity

The superfamily of the Eriophyoidea is a large and diverse group of mites, including a number of species of economic importance, mainly on perennial plants in agriculture and forestry. This review focuses on the economic importance and pest status of this group of mites, with emphasis on some genera. The available acaricide portfolio is reviewed and the influence of EU legislation policy on the sustainable control of Eriophyoidea is investigated. Possible generic guidelines for sustainable control and resistance management with special reference to the European situation are discussed. Recent advances in biological and integrated control of eriophyid mite pests and the implementation of these techniques in crops are explored. Furthermore, the relevance of studies on behaviour, epidemiology and diagnostics in general terms and as a strategic necessity is pointed out.

- by Thomas Van Leeuwen
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- Zoology, European Union, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management

Cf proteins are receptor-like proteins (RLPs) that mediate resistance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to the foliar pathogen Cladosporium fulvum. These transmembrane immune receptors, which carry extracellular leucine-rich repeats that are subjected to posttranslational glycosylation, perceive effectors of the pathogen and trigger a defense response that results in plant resistance. To identify proteins required for the functionality of these RLPs, we performed immunopurification of a functional Cf-4-enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, followed by mass spectrometry. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) heat shock protein70 binding proteins (BiPs) and lectin-type calreticulins (CRTs), which are chaperones involved in ER-quality control, were copurifying with Cf-4-enhanced green fluorescent protein.

- by B. P. H. J. Thomma
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- Mass Spectrometry, Tobacco, Polysaccharides, Gene Silencing

PRGdb is a web accessible open-source (http://www.prgdb.org) database that represents the first bioinformatic resource providing a comprehensive overview of resistance genes (R-genes) in plants. PRGdb holds more than 16 000 known and putative R-genes belonging to 192 plant species challenged by 115 different pathogens and linked with useful biological information. The complete database includes a set of 73 manually curated reference R-genes, 6308 putative R-genes collected from NCBI and 10463 computationally predicted putative R-genes. Thanks to a userfriendly interface, data can be examined using different query tools. A home-made prediction pipeline called Disease Resistance Analysis and Gene Orthology (DRAGO), based on reference R-gene sequence data, was developed to search for plant resistance genes in public datasets such as Unigene and Genbank. New putative R-gene classes containing unknown domain combinations were discovered and characterized. The development of the PRG platform represents an important starting point to conduct various experimental tasks. The inferred cross-link between genomic and phenotypic information allows access to a large body of information to find answers to several biological questions. The database structure also permits easy integration with other data types and opens up prospects for future implementations.

- by Sara Melito
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- Computational Biology, Web Accessibility, Oxidative Stress, Open Source

Plants resist attack by pathogens and herbivorous insects through constitutive and inducible defences. Based on differences in signalling pathways and spectra of effectiveness, different types of induced resistance have been defined. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) occurs in distal plant parts following localized infection by a necrotizing pathogen. It is controlled by a signalling pathway that depends upon the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and the regulatory protein NPR1. In contrast, induced systemic resistance (ISR) is induced by selected strains of non-pathogenic plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR). ISR functions independently of SA, but requires NPR1 and is regulated by jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET). It is generally believed that induced resistance evolved to save energy under pathogen or insect-free conditions, although costs still arise when defences are activated following attack. Costs can arise from the allocation of resources to defence and away from plant growth and development, and there are also ecological costs which result from trade-offs between induced resistance and the plant's interaction with beneficial organisms e.g. mycorrhizal fungi. To date, few studies have examined the costs and trade-offs associated with induced resistance to pathogens. There is a clear need for long-term studies of costs and trade-offs associated with induced resistance in crops under commercial conditions. Without such information, the potential offered by induced resistance is unlikely to be realized. r

- by Dale R Walters
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- Microbiology, Plant Biology, Plant Resistance, Plant

- by Thomas Van Leeuwen
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- Zoology, European Union, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management

Sequencing of the genome of Ralstonia solanacearum revealed several genes that putatively code for polyphenol oxidases (PPOs). To study the actual expression of these genes, we looked for and detected all kinds of PPO activities, including laccase, cresolase, and catechol oxidase activities, in cellular extracts of this microorganism. The conditions for the PPO assays were optimized for the phenolic substrate, pH, and sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration used. It was demonstrated that three different PPOs are expressed. The genes coding for the enzymes were unambiguously correlated with the enzymatic activities detected by generation of null mutations in the genes by using insertional mutagenesis with a suicide plasmid and estimating the changes in the levels of enzymatic activities compared to the levels in the wild-type strain. The protein encoded by the RSp1530 locus is a multicopper protein with laccase activity. Two other genes, RSc0337 and RSc1501, code for nonblue copper proteins exhibiting homology to tyrosinases. The product of RSc0337 has strong tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and it has been shown that this enzyme is involved in melanin synthesis by R. solanacearum. The product of the RSc1501 gene is an enzyme that shows a clear preference for oxidation of o-diphenols. Preliminary characterization of the mutants obtained indicated that PPOs expressed by R. solanacearum may participate in resistance to phenolic compounds since the mutants exhibited higher sensitivity to L-tyrosine than the wild-type strain. These results suggest a possible role in the pathogenic process to avoid plant resistance mechanisms involving the participation of phenolic compounds.

- by D. Hernandez-romero and +1
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- Multidisciplinary, Plant Resistance, Mutation, Copper

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important legume crop in South Asia, East and southern Africa, and the Caribbean. Pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa Malloch) and pod wasp (Tanaostigmodes cajaninae La Salle) are important constraints to increase the production and productivity of pigeonpea under subsistence farming conditions. Host plant-resistance can be used as an important component for the management of these pests, and therefore, we evaluated 28 accessions of wild relatives of pigeonpea for resistance to these pests. There were significant inter- and intra-species differences in the relative susceptibility to pod fly and pod wasp damage. Accessions belonging to Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars, C. sericeus (Benth. ex Bak.) van der Maesen, Rhynchosia bracteata Benth. ex Bak., C. acutifolius (F.v. Muell.) van der Maesen, C. lineatus (W. & A.) van der Maesen, and C. albicans (W. & A.) van der Maesen showed resistance to pod fly damage, while those from C. platycarpus (Benth.) van der Maesen, C. cajanifolius (Haines) van der Maesen and R. aurea DC. were susceptible. For the pod wasp, some of the accessions from C. scarabaeoides, C. albicans, Flemingia stricta Roxb., and R. bracteata (Roxb.) Wight showed a resistant reaction, while ICPW 83 belonging to C. scarabaeoides showed a susceptible reaction. ICPW 141, ICPW 278, and ICPW 280 (C. scarabaeoides), ICPW 214 (R. bracteata), ICPW 14 (C. albicans), and ICPW 202 (F. stricta) showed resistance to both pod fly and pod wasp damage. There was considerable variation in accessions belonging to different species for their susceptibility to pod fly and pod wasp, which can be exploited to breed for resistance to these pests. There was a negative association between pod wasp and pod borer damage, and therefore, it is important to keep track of the relative susceptibility of pigeonpea genotypes to pod wasp, while breeding for resistance to pod borers.

- by Pampapathy Gurulingappa
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- South Asia, Southern Africa, Agricultural Biotechnology, Plant Resistance

One of the challenges being faced in the twenty-first century is the biological control of plant viral infections. Among the different strategies to combat virus infections, those based on pathogen-derived resistance (PDR) are probably the most powerful approaches to confer virus resistance in plants. The application of the PDR concept not only revealed the existence of a previously unknown sequence-specific RNA-degradation mechanism in plants, but has also helped to design antiviral strategies to engineer viral resistant plants in the last 25 years. In this article, we review the different platforms related to RNA silencing that have been developed during this time to obtain plants resistant to viruses and illustrate examples of current applications of RNA silencing to protect crop plants against viral diseases of agronomic relevance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: MicroRNAs in viral gene regulation. Published by Elsevier B.V. j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / b b a g r m

- by juan garcia
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- Genetics, Gene regulation, MicroRNA, RNA silencing

In order to study the influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) on the development of root rot infection, tomato plants were raised with or withoutGlomus mosseae and/orPhytophthora nicotianae var.parasitica in a sand culture system. All plants were fed with a nutrient solution containing one of two phosphorus (P) levels, 32µM (I P) or 96µM (II P), to test the consequence of enhanced P nutrition by the AM fungus on disease dynamics. Mycorrhizal plants had a similar development to that of control plants. Treatment withPhytophthora nicotianae var.parasitica resulted in a visible reduction in plant weight and in a widespread root necrosis in plants without mycorrhiza. The presence of the AM fungus decreased both weight reduction and root necrosis. The percentage reduction of adventitious root necrosis and of necrotic root apices ranged between 63 and 89% The enhancement of P nutrition increased plant development, but did not appreciably decrease disease spread. In our system, mycorrhiza increased plant resistance toP. nicotianae var.parasitica infection. Although a contribution of P nutrition by mycorrhiza cannot be excluded, other mechanisms appear to play a crucial role.

- by anna trotta
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- Biological Control, Biological Sciences, Phosphorus, Plant Resistance

- by Laurent Jouve
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- Thermodynamics, Metabolism, Plant Biology, Adaptation

Exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in low-and moderate-dose transgenic crops may induce sublethal effects and increase the rate of Bt resistance evolution, potentially compromising control efficacy against target pests. We tested this hypothesis using the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, a major polyphagous lepidopteran pest relatively tolerant to Bt notorious for evolving field-relevant resistance to single-gene Bt maize. Late-instar larvae were collected from Bt Cry1Ab and non-Bt maize fields in five locations in Brazil, and their offspring was compared for survival, development, and population growth in rearing environment without and with Cry1Ab throughout larval development. Larval survival on Cry1Ab maize leaves varied from 20 to 80% among the populations. Larvae reared on Cry1Ab maize had seven-day delay in development time in relation to control larvae, and such delay was shorter in offspring of armyworms from Cry1Ab maize. Population growth rates were 50–70% lower for insects continuously exposed to Cry1Ab maize relative to controls , showing the population-level effect of Cry1Ab, which varied among the populations and prior exposure to Cry1Ab maize in the field. In three out of five populations, armyworms derived from Bt maize reared on Cry1Ab maize showed higher larval weight, faster larval development and better reproductive performance than the armyworms derived from non-Bt maize, and one of these populations showed better performance on both Cry1Ab and control diets, indicating no fitness cost of the resistance trait. Altogether, these results indicate that offspring of armyworms that developed on field-grown, single-gene Bt Cry1Ab maize had reduced performance on Cry1Ab maize foliage in two populations studied, but in other three populations, these offspring had better overall performance on the Bt maize foliage than that of the armyworms from non-Bt maize fields, possibly because of Cry1Ab resistance alleles in these populations. Implications of these findings for resistance management of S. frugiperda in Bt crops are discussed.

- by E. Pereira and +2
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- Insect-Plant Interactions, Agricultural Entomology, Plant Resistance, Transgenic Crops

The presence of marker genes conferring antibiotic or herbicide resistance in transgenic plants has been a controversial issue and a serious problem for their public acceptance and commercialization. The MAT (multi-autotransformation) vector system has been one of the strategies developed to excise the selection marker gene and produce marker-free transgenic plants. In an attempt to produce transgenic marker-free Petunia hybrida plants resistant to Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), we used the ipt gene as a selectable marker gene and the wasabi defensin (WD) gene, isolated from Wasabia japonica (a Japanese horseradish which has been a potential source of antimicrobial proteins), as a gene of interest. The WD gene was cloned from the binary vector, pEKH-WD, to an ipt-type MAT vector, pMAT21, by gateway cloning technology and transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105. Infected leaf explants of P. hybrida were cultured on hormone-and antibiotic-free MS medium. Extreme shooty phenotype (ESP)/ipt shoots were produced by the explants infected with the pMAT21-WD. The same antibiotic-and hormone-free MS medium was used in subcultures of the ipt shoots. Ipt shoots subsequently produced morphologically normal shoots. Molecular analyses of genomic DNA from the transgenic plants confirmed the integration of the gene of interest and excision of the selection marker. Expression of the WD gene was confirmed by northern blot and western blot analyses. A disease resistance assay of the marker-free transgenic plants exhibited enhanced resistance against B. cinerea strain 40 isolated from P. hybrida.

- by Sartaj Alam and +1
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- Plant Biology, Plant Resistance, Disease resistance, Herbicide Resistance

Genetic engineering to date has not been used to introduce disease resistance genes into the orchid gene pool. The ferredoxin-like protein gene originally isolated from sweet pepper is thought to function as a natural defense against infection due to its antimicrobial properties. Hence it was reasoned that introduction of this gene might produce Oncidium plants resistant to Erwinia carotovora, the causal agent for the soft rot disease. An expression vector containing sweet pepper ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) cDNA, hph and gusA coding sequence was successfully transformed into protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of Oncidium orchid, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105. A total of 17 independent transgenic orchid lines was obtained, out of which six transgenic lines (β-glucuronidase (GUS) positive) were randomly selected and confirmed by Southern, northern and western blot analyses. A bioassay was conducted on the transgenic lines. Transgenic plants showed enhanced resistance to E. carotovora, even when the entire plant was challenged with the pathogen. Our results suggest that pflp may be an extremely useful gene for genetic engineering strategies in orchids to confer resistance against soft rot disease.

- by mii chan
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- Technology, Innate immunity, Genetic Engineering, Biological Sciences
- by B. P. H. J. Thomma
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- Genetics, Plant Biology, Fungi, Virulence

Screen house experiments were conducted under no choice conditions, to determine the tolerance, a mechanism of resistance, in cotton under a population pressure of 150 and 300 pairs of whiteflies Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Twelve cotton genotypes, viz., four resistant (NHH 44, Supriya, LD694 and PA 183), four susceptible (F 846, IS-376/4/1/20/72, LK 861 and RS 2013) and four with moderate reaction (T x Maroon 2-78, MRC 6304Bt, RS 2098 and CNH 911) to B. tabaci were assessed in terms of decrease in plant height, number of nodes and chlorophyll content (a, b and total) from control. The study revealed that all three characters are important to identify tolerance. A strong tolerance mechanism is operating in NHH 44. The genotypes LD 694 and PA 183 were rated as moderately tolerant, however, IS 376/4/1/20/72, Tx Maroon 2-78, MRC 6304Bt, F 846 and CNH 911 exhibited no tolerance mechanism and were categorized as the most susceptible genotypes.

- by Vinod Dilawari
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- Plant Biology, Plant Resistance, Egg Laying, Bemisia tabaci
- by Harish Kumar
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- Pest Management, Plant Resistance, Maize, Growth and development
- by Pradeep Kachroo
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Signal Transduction, Plant Resistance

Verticillium wilt causes enormous loss to yield or quality in many crops. In an effort to help controlling this disease through genetic engineering, we first cloned and characterized a Verticillium wilt resistance gene (GbVe) from cotton (Gossypium barbadense) and analyzed its function in Arabidopsis thaliana. Its nucleotide sequence is 3,819 bp long, with an open reading frame of 3,387 bp, and encoding an 1,128-aa protein precursor. Sequence analysis shows that GbVe produces a leucine-rich repeat receptorlike protein. It shares identities of 55.9% and 57.4% with tomato Ve1 and Ve2, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the Ve gene expression pattern was different between the resistant and susceptible cultivars. In the resistant Pima90-53, GbVe was quickly induced and reached to a peak at 2 h after inoculation, two-fold higher than that of control. We localized the GbVe-GFP fusion protein to the cytomembrane in onion epidermal cells. By inserting GbVe into Arabidopsis via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, T 3 transgenic lines were obtained. Compared with the wild-type control, GbVe-overexpressing plants had greater levels of resistance to V. dahliae. This suggests that GbVe is a useful gene for improving the plant resistance against fungal diseases.

- by Shuo Yang
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- Functional Analysis, Computational Biology, Plant Biology, Sequence Analysis

Plant resistance to pathogen infection can be achieved by systemic regulation of the defense-related genes that respond to specific systemic signals. To elucidate defense responses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) against fungal pathogens, Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr. causing ascochyta blight and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri causing fusarium wilt, expression patterns of defense-related genes in chickpea after pathogen inoculation and exogenous treatments with systemic signals such as SA and Me-JA were investigated. Two blight differentia germplasm lines, FLIP84-92C(2) (blight resistant and SA- and Me-JA-sensitive) and PI359075(1) (blight susceptible and SA- and Me-JA-insensitive) showed significant differential expression patterns of the defense-related genes after A. rabiei inoculation and exogenous treatment with SA and Me-JA. However, blight resistance in the recombinant inbred lines generated from the cross of the two germplasm lines did not cosegregate with the expression of the genes induced either by pathogen inoculation or by signal chemicals. Fusarium wilt resistance in chickpea also did not require induction of the defense-related genes after Fusarium infection. These results indicated that systemic regulation of the defense-related genes at transcription level which is reportedly associated with disease resistance in other model plant species such as Arabidopsis might not confer resistance in chickpea against two necrotrophic fungal pathogens, A. rabiei (Pass.) Labr and F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri. Further studies focused on constitutive or unknown defense systems independent of SA- and JA-mediated systemic resistance mechanisms are required to understand fungal resistance mechanisms in chickpea.

- by Sa Ja
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- Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, RNA

- by Mii chan
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- Technology, Innate immunity, Genetic Engineering, Biological Sciences

Salicylic acid, which is biosynthesized inside plant and is often found and accumulated in soil due to plant debris decaying, is considered as a signaling substance during plant-microbe interactions. It is involved in the cycling of biogeochemistry and related to plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. The antibiotic effect of salicylic acid on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum (FON) was studied to investigate the relationships between the salicylic acid and the fungus in the ecological interaction of plant-microbe. Results showed that the biomass, colony diameter, number of conidium germination and conidium production of FON were decreased by 52.0%, 25.7%, 100% and 100% at concentrations of 800 mg L À1 . However, mycotoxin yield was increased by 233%, pectinase activity raised by 168.0% and cellulase activity increased by 1325% compared to control at higher concentrations. It was concluded that salicylic acid as an allelochemical greatly inhibited FON growth and conidia formation and germination, though stimulated mycotoxin production and activities of hydrolytic enzymes by FON.

- by waseem raza
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- Biomass, Abiotic Stress, Multidisciplinary, Plant Resistance

The spotted stem borer (SSB) Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an important pest of maize in several countries of Asia and Africa. Serious crop losses have been reported, mostly in experiments conducted under artificial infestations at experimental stations. In order to develop an economical and environmentally friendly method of pest management, a large number of maize genotypes with varying levels of resistance to SSB have been identified. In resistant germplasm, all three components of resistance, namely, nonpreference, antibiosis, and tolerance, have been identified. In Asia, various studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism of resistance/susceptibility in two maize genotypes, Antigua Group 1 (Resistant) and Basi Local (Susceptible), against SSB. Several biological parameters including SSB larval and pupal survival, larval and pupal weights, larval and pupal period and fecundity were adversely affected due to unknown factors in the resistant source but not in the susceptible source. An ethanolic extract of Mex 17 has also been reported to inhibit the growth and development of SSB. The studies in Africa show that ovipositional nonpreference by SSB on maize genotypes was due to the presence of trichomes and surface waxes. One genotype, ICZ-T, with trichomes on both the leaf surfaces was developed. In some studies, using regression of grain yield reduction on foliar injury due to SSB attack on two maize genotypes, namely, ICZ1-CM and ICZ2-CM, both antibiosis and tolerance were reported to be the components of resistance. In more detailed studies in Africa, nonpreference, antibiosis and tolerance types of resistance mechanisms have been reported to be operating within maize genotypes Mp704, Poza Rica 7832 and ER-29SVR. The resistance mechanisms operating within these sources have also been reported in crosses with agronomically desirable sources.

- by Harish Kumar
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- Pest Management, Plant Resistance, Maize, Growth and development

shown yet for the product of the tobacco N gene (Whitham et al., 1994) and its putative ligand derived from the viral replicase (Padgett and Beachy, 1993) and for several of the Arabidopsis R gene products and their matching bacterial avirulence proteins . In Botanisches Institut contrast, a number of general peptide elicitors have Universitä t Basel been well characterized, but their receptor counterparts Helbelstrasse 1 have not been yet identified.

- by mauricio valverde
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- Genetics, Abiotic Stress, Arabidopsis thaliana, Plant Resistance

Coffea arabica, one of the most important breeding species in the world, is susceptible to the leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella, which causes severe damage to coffee plantations. A closely related coffee species (Coffea racemosa) resistant... more

- by Mari Sogayar
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- Plant Biology, Plant Science, Plant Resistance, Biotic Stress

In marly catchments of the French Southern Alps, soils are subjected to harsh water erosion that can result in concentrated flows uprooting small plants. Evaluating and predicting plant resistance to uprooting from simple plant traits is therefore highly important so that the most efficient plant strategy for future restoration of eroded slopes can be defined. Twelve species growing on marly land were studied. For each species, in-situ lateral uprooting tests were conducted and morphological plant traits were measured on small plants at the early stages of their development. The results show that maximum uprooting force was most positively correlated with stem basal diameter. Resistance to uprooting depends on a combination of several traits. Tap root length, the proportion of fine lateral roots and root topology were the best predictors of anchorage strength.

- by Elise Buisson and +1
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- Biological Sciences, Plant Resistance, Environmental Sciences, Southern Alps

Parasitic weeds pose severe constraint on major agricultural crops. Varying levels of resistance have been identified and exploited in the breeding programmes of several crops. However, the level of protection achieved to date is either incomplete or ephemeral. Resistance is mainly determined by the coexistence of several mechanisms controlled by multigenic and quantitative systems. Efficient control of the parasite requires a better understanding of the interaction and their associated resistance mechanisms at the histological, genetic and molecular levels. Application of postgenomic technologies and the use of model plants should improve the understanding of the plant-parasitic plant interaction and drive not only breeding programmes through either marker-assisted selection (MAS) or transgenesis but also the development of alternative methods to control the parasite. This review presents the current approaches targeting the characterization of resistance mechanisms and explores their potentiality to control parasitic plants. Akiyama K, Matsuzaki K, Hayashi H. 2005. Plant sesquiterpenes induce hyphal branching in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Nature 435: 824 -827. Albert M, Werner M, Proksch P, Fry SC, Kaldenhoff R. 2004. The cell wall-modifying xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase lexth1 is expressed during the defence reaction of tomato against the plant parasite Cuscuta reflexa. Plant Biology 6: 402-407. Albrecht H, Yoder JI, Phillips DA. 1999. Flavonoids promote haustoria formation in the root parasite Triphysaria versicolor. Plant Physiology 119: 585 -591. . 2001. Recent advances in the biocontrol of Orobanche (broomrape) species. Biocontrol 46: 211-228. Barsch A, Tellström V, Patschkowski T, Küster H, Niehaus K. 2006. Metabolite profiles of nodulated alfalfa plants indicate that distinct stages of nodule organogenesis are accompanied by global physiological adaptations. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction 19: 998-1013. Borsics T, Lados M. 2001. cDNA cloning of a mechanical/abiotic stressinducible calmodulin-related gene from dodder-infected alfalfa. Plant, Cell & Environment 24: 649 -656. Borsics T, Lados M. 2002. Dodder infection induces the expression of a pathogenesis-related gene of the family PR-10 in alfalfa. Journal of Experimental Botany 53: 1831-1832. Botanga CJ, Kling JG, Berner DK, Timko MP. 2002. Genetic variability of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntz based on AFLP analysis and host-parasite interaction. Euphytica 128: 375 -388. Bouwmeester HJ, Matusova R, Sun ZK, Beale MH. 2003. Secondary metabolite signalling in host-parasitic plant interactions. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 6: 358 -364. Castillejo MA. 2005. La proteómica aplicada al estudio de las respuestas de las plantas a estreses bióticos y abióticos. Ph D. Thesis.

- by Jesús Jorrín
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- Breeding, Proteomics, Biological Sciences, Plant Resistance

This paper summarises the research findings of recent studies on bean root rot in Kenya, where bean production has been constrained by root-rot disease. These studies have covered the etiology and epidemiology of bean root rot, interactions of the root-rot pathogen with soil-borne insects (such as the bean stem maggot), and the relationship between the root-rot pathogen and soil fertility and the moisture content of the soil. In addition, an integrated strategy to control bean root rot has been developed. Future work on the study of the genetics and inheritance of plant resistance to the root-rot pathogen is indicated.

- by R. Buruchara
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- Genetics, Plant Resistance, Soil Fertility, Phaseolus vulgaris

Cassava bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthoinonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam), is a major disease of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Africa and South America. Planting resistant varieties is the preferred method of disease control. Recent genetic mapping of an F, cross (TMS 30572 x CM 2177-2) led to the construction of the first molecular genetic map of cassava. To better understand the genetics of resistance to CBB, we evaluated individuals of the F, cross for CBB resistance by controlled greenhouse inoculations and visually assessed symptoms on days 7, 15, and 30 days after inoculation, using a scale where O = no disease and 5 = maximum susceptibility. Five Xam strains were used: CIO-84, CIO-1, CIO-136, CIO-295, and ORST X-27. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was used as a quantitative measure of resistance in QTL analysis by single-marker regression. Based on the AUDPC values, eight QTLs (quantitative trait loci), located on linkage groups B, D, L, N, and X of the femalederived framework map, were found to explain 9-20% of the phenotypic variance of the crop's response to the five Xain strains. With the male-derived framework map, four QTLs on linkage groups G and C explained 10.7-27.1% of the variance. A scheme to confirm the usefulness of these markers in evaluating segregating populations for resistance to CBB is proposed.

- by Myriam Duque
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- Genetics, Technology, Molecular Genetics, Biological Sciences

Plant resistance to pathogens requires the activation of complex metabolic pathways in the infected cells, aimed at recognizing pathogen presence and hindering its propagation within plant tissues. In spite of this both compatible and incompatible responses induce alterations in plant metabolism, only in the latter the plant is able to efficiently block pathogen penetration without suffering excessive damage. One of the most studied incompatible responses is based on the hypersensitive response (HR), in which cells surrounding the site of pathogen penetration switch on genes encoding for phytoalexin synthesis and other pathogenesis related proteins before activating programmed cell death (PCD). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key event in HR. Several enzymatic systems have been proposed to be responsible for the oxidative burst characterizing HR. In this review, the involvement of antioxidant redox systems, in particular those related to ascorbate (ASC) and glutathione (GSH), in activating both compatible and incompatible plant responses is analysed. Increasing lines of evidence indicate that alterations in the levels and/or redox state of ASC and/or GSH, as well as in the activity of their redox enzymes, occur during the HR programme. These alterations do not seem to be a mere consequence of the oxidative stress induced by the massive ROS production, but they are induced as part of the transduction pathways triggering defence responses and PCD. The possibility that ASC and GSH systems are links in a redox signalling chain activating defence strategies is also discussed.

- by maria pinto
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- Plant Biology, HR, NO, Plant Resistance

One prominent concern about genetically modified crops is the possibility of environmental impacts from the movement of fitness-enhancing traits to wild plant populations. Decisions to deregulate Bt crops in the USA have relied strongly on arguments that these crops will not interbreed with wild relatives in the permitted growing regions. Limited attention therefore has been directed to analyses of the consequences of gene flow. To provide a transparent evaluation process for risks associated with insecticidal transgene escape, we crafted a series of questions designed to guide this aspect of the risk assessment. We then explored the current knowledge base available for answering such risk-related questions for three Bt crops (cotton, rapeseed, and rice). First, we generated a list of wild relatives of these crops. A definitive list of potential transgene recipients is not yet possible for some crops. Sufficient data are not available for some crops to eliminate certain related plant species from consideration of fertile hybrid formation, thus making lists for these crops subject to speculation. Second, we queried the HOSTS database (UK) to obtain a worldwide listing of lepidopteran species that feed on these crops and their wild relatives, and to determine the host range of the larvae. To our knowledge, this list of 502 lepidopteran species is the first such list published for these crops and wild crop relatives. Third, we used a data set maintained by the Canadian Forest Service to assess Bt toxin susceptibility for these lepidopterans. Only 3% of those species have been tested for susceptibility; and the literature suggests that generalizations about susceptibility among taxa are difficult due to the variability within families. Fourth, we consulted the literature to interpret what is known about the ability of lepidopterans to regulate plant fitness or invasiveness. We could not eliminate the possibility of ecological release due to plant resistance against lepidopterans. In fact, there is strong experimental evidence that lepidopteran herbivores do limit the distribution and/or abundances of at least some wild plant species. Neither could we eliminate the possibility that non-target lepidopterans might have important functions in the ecosystem as pollinators or alternate hosts to natural enemies of pest species. This study suggests that crucial data are lacking for the development of a credible scientific basis to confirm or deny environmental risks associated with the escape of Bt transgene constructs to wild relatives. Given the absence of information on the identity, level of susceptibility, and ecological roles of lepidopterans exploiting specific wild relatives of Bt crops, we suggest that new efforts be directed to assessing possible consequences of lepidopteran mortality on resistant wild relatives. Brassica napus (rapeseed, canola) Brassica rapa (previously B. campestris) 3,6 Brassica nigra 4 Brassica juncea 2, 6 Raphanus raphanistrum 2 Raphanus sativus 2 Brassica oleracea 9, 10 Sinapis arvensis (prev. Brassica kaber) 8 Hirschfeldia incana 2 Cakile edentula 7 Cakile maritima 7 Cardamine californica 7 Oryza sativa (rice) Oryza sativa and Oryza nivara* (wild red rice) 1,3,5,6 Oryza rufipogon 3, 5 Oryza longistaminata 4 Oryza glaberrima 4 Oryza barthii 9, 10 * Synonym Brassica oleracea (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collards, etc.) Brassica napus 2 Brassica rapa 9, 10

- by Joy Hagen
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- Gene Flow, Forecasting, Ecology, Risk assessment
- by Surekha Katiyar-Agarwal
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- Genetics, Water, Photosynthesis, Plant Biology

Background: "Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia", is the causative agent of witches' broom disease in Mexican lime trees (Citrus aurantifolia L.), and is responsible for major losses of Mexican lime trees in Southern Iran and Oman. The pathogen is strictly biotrophic, and thus is completely dependent on living host cells for its survival. The molecular basis of compatibility and disease development in this system is poorly understood. Therefore, we have applied a cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) approach to analyze gene expression in Mexican lime trees infected by "Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia". Results: We carried out cDNA-AFLP analysis on grafted infected Mexican lime trees of the susceptible cultivar at the representative symptoms stage. Selective amplifications with 43 primer combinations allowed the visualisation of 55 transcript-derived fragments that were expressed differentially between infected and non-infected leaves. We sequenced 51 fragments, 36 of which were identified as lime tree transcripts after homology searching. Of the 36 genes, 70.5% were down-regulated during infection and could be classified into various functional groups. We showed that Mexican lime tree genes that were homologous to known resistance genes tended to be repressed in response to infection. These included the genes for modifier of snc1 and autophagy protein 5. Furthermore, down-regulation of genes involved in metabolism, transcription, transport and cytoskeleton was observed, which included the genes for formin, importin β 3, transducin, L-asparaginase, glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase, and RNA polymerase β. In contrast, genes that encoded a proline-rich protein, ubiquitin-protein ligase, phosphatidyl glycerol specific phospholipase C-like, and serine/threonine-protein kinase were up-regulated during the infection. Conclusion: The present study identifies a number of candidate genes that might be involved in the interaction of Mexican lime trees with "Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia". These results should help to elucidate the molecular basis of the infection process and to identify genes that could be targeted to increase plant resistance and inhibit the growth and reproduction of the pathogen.

- by Ali Hoseiny
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- Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology, Cognitive Science

A partial map of Coffea arabica L. was constructed based on a backcross population and RAPD markers. From a total of 178 markers evaluated, only 134 that segregated 1:1 (P>0.05) were used to develop the map. Seventeen markers were not linked, while 117 formed 11 linkage groups, covering a genome distance of 803.2 cM. The maximum distance between adjacent markers was 26.9 cM, and only seven intervals exceeded 20 cM. The markers were further used for assisted selection of the plants closest to the recurrent parent, to accelerate the introgression of rust resistance genes in the coffee breeding program. Three BC 1 plants resistant to coffee leaf rust and with high genetic similarity to 'Catuaí' were selected and integrated in the following backcross cycles.

- by Antonio Carlos
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- Plant Resistance, Molecular Marker, Linkage Group, Genetic Similarity

In plants, resistance to necrotrophic pathogens depends on the interplay between different hormone systems, such as those regulated by salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, and abscisic acid. Repression of auxin signaling by the SA pathway was recently shown to contribute to antibacterial resistance. Here, we demonstrate that Arabidopsis auxin signaling mutants axr1, axr2, and axr6 that have defects in the auxin-stimulated SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F-box) ubiquitination pathway exhibit increased susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungi Plectosphaerella cucumerina and Botrytis cinerea. Also, stabilization of the auxin transcriptional repressor AXR3 that is normally targeted for removal by the SCF-ubiquitin/proteasome machinery occurs upon P. cucumerina infection. Pharmacological inhibition of auxin transport or proteasome function each compromise necrotroph resistance of wild-type plants to a similar extent as in non-treated auxin response mutants. These results suggest that auxin signaling is important for resistance to the necrotrophic fungi P. cucumerina and B. cinerea. SGT1b (one of two Arabidopsis SGT1 genes encoding HSP90/HSC70 co-chaperones) promotes the functions of SCF E3-ubiquitin ligase complexes in auxin and JA responses and resistance conditioned by certain Resistance (R) genes to biotrophic pathogens. We find that sgt1b mutants are as resistant to P. cucumerina as wild-type plants. Conversely, auxin/SCF signaling mutants are uncompromised in RPP4-triggered resistance to the obligate biotrophic oomycete, Hyaloperonospora parasitica. Thus, the predominant action of SGT1b in R gene-conditioned resistance to oomycetes appears to be at a site other than assisting SCF E3-ubiquitin ligases. However, genetic additivity of sgt1b axr1 double mutants in susceptibility to H. parasitica suggests that SCF-mediated ubiquitination contributes to limiting biotrophic pathogen colonization once plant-pathogen compatibility is established.

- by Andrea sanchez
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- Genetics, Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Fungi