Studies on Endogenous Bacteria in Potato Tubers Infected by Phytophthora erythroseptica Pethybr

Infection of potato tubers by the soft-rotting fungi Phytophthoraerythroseptica and Pythium debaryanum resulted in multiplicationof endogenous tuber bacteria. This effect was not evident afterinfection by dryrotting fungi. Some of the bacteria isolatedproduced pectolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes in vitro andwere themselves capable under certain conditions of degradingtuber tissue.     

Salicylic acid is important for basal defense of Solanum tuberosum against Phytophthora infestans

The importance of the signaling compound salicylic acid for basal defense of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Désirée) against Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight disease, was assessed using transgenic NahG potato plants which are unable to accumulate salicylic acid. Although the size of lesions caused by P. infestans was not significantly different in wild-type and transgenic NahG plants, real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed a drastic enhancement of pathogen growth in potato plants depleted of salicylic acid. Increased susceptibility of NahG plants correlated with compromised callose formation and reduced early defense gene expression. NahG plants pretreated with the salicylic acid analog 2,6-dichloro-isonicotinic acid allowed pathogen growth to a similar extent as did wild-type plants, indicating that salicylic acid is an important compound required for basal defense of potato against P. infestans.     

Production of Phytophthora infestans-resistant potato (Solanum tuberosum) utilising Ensifer adhaerens OV14

Based on the use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation commodity crop improvement through genetic engineering is the fastest adopted crop technology in the world (James 2010). However, the complexity of the Agrobacterium patent landscape remains a challenge for non-patent holders who wish to generate novel varieties for a commercial purpose. The potential of non-Agrobacterium strains (Transbacter(?)) to modify a plant genome has previously been described. However, they are unlikely to be widely used without significant adjustments in transformation protocols in order to improve their gene transfer efficiencies. In this study we set out to identify alternative bacteria species that could (a) utilize vir genes for genetic transformation and (b) substitute for A. tumefaciens in existing transformation protocols, without a prerequisite for protocol modifications. To this end we isolated a collection (n=751) of plant-associated bacteria from the rhizosphere of commercially grown crops. Based on various screens, including plant transformation with the open-source vector pCAMBIA5105, we identified a strain of the bacterium Ensifer adhaerens with the capacity to transform both Arabidopsis thaliana (0.12%) and potato (mean transformation frequency 35.1%). Thereafter, Ensifer adhaerens was used to generate blight- (causative organism Phytophthora infestans) resistant potato using the Solanum bulbocastanum 'resistance to blight' (RB) gene. Resistant genotypes were confirmed by associated molecular analysis and resistant phenotypes demonstrated by the development of hypersensitive lesions on inoculated leaf tissue post-pathogen inoculation. These data confirm the potential of Ensifer-mediated transformation (EMT) as a novel platform for the high frequency generation of transgenic potato.     

One-step partial purification of Solanum tuberosum tuber lectin using magnetic chitosan particles

A one-step procedure for a partial purification of Solanum tuberosum tuber lectin has been developed. Lectin from tuber extract or from potato wastewater was adsorbed to magnetic chitosan particles and eluted with low pH buffer. The specific activity of separated lectin increased 13 times during the purification process and the recovery was 50%.     

Destruxin A production by Metarhizium brunneum strains during transient endophytic colonisation of Solanum tuberosum

Metarhizium spp. are known to produce destruxin A (dtx A) and can act as endophytes. Data regarding the fate and behaviour of secondary metabolites in the environment are necessary for registration. Endophytic colonisation and dtx A production on potato plants were monitored at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120?h after inoculation with Metarhizium brunneum strains (BIPESCO5 and EAMa 01/58-Su). Both strains were recovered from leaves, stem, tuber and root fragments of fungal-challenged potato plants. Although a similar colonisation was observed for both strains, there were differences in percentages in different parts of the plants, with the higher values occurring in the leaves at 96?h for EAMa 01/58-Su (83.3%) and BIPESCO5 (81.6%), and the lower ones, 10–13.3%, observed in tubers and roots at 72, 96 and 120?h post-inoculation for both strains. For strain EAMa 01/58-Su, dtx A was quantified at 24?h (2.49?±?1.7 and 2.0?±?1.4?µg/kg, respectively), and the same concentration was found in both tuber and root at 96?h (2.5?±?1.7?µg/kg); for BIPESCO5, the concentrations differed in tuber at 24?h and in root at 48?h (6.8?±?4.8 and 2.1?±?1.4?µg/kg, respectively). The concentration of dtx A in plant tissues was very low compared to the colonisation levels, suggesting that dtx A production by the fungus may be temporary and that the compound might degrade rapidly.     

Stimulation of the Protective Mechanisms of Solanum tuberosum by the Bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Chitooligosaccharides upon Infection with Phytophthora infestans

Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology - The joint effect of Bacillus subtilis 26D endophytic bacteria and chitooligosaccharides (COSs) on the resistance of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) to...     

Regulation of `malic'' enzyme of Solanum tuberosum by metabolites

A purification of ;malic' enzyme from potato is described. The purified enzyme is specific for NADP and requires a bivalent cation for activity. At pH values below 7 the plot of rate versus malate concentration approximates to normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics. At pH values above 7 the plot of rate versus malate concentration is sigmoid. A number of dicarboxylic acids activate the enzyme and remove the sigmoidicity. The enzyme is inhibited by phosphate, triose phosphates and AMP. In general, effectors of the oxidative decarboxylation of malate behave in the same manner in the reductive carboxylation of pyruvate. The response of the enzyme to energy charge is reported and the physiological significance of the response to metabolites is discussed in relation to the proposed role of the enzyme in the control of pH.     

Comparative genome analysis of Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum tuberosum

Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum tuberosum are agriculturally important crop species as they are rich sources of starch, protein, antioxidants, lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. The genomes of S. lycopersicum and S. tuberosum are currently available. However the linear strings of nucleotides that together comprise a genome sequence are of limited significance by themselves. Computational and bioinformatics approaches can be used to exploit the genomes for fundamental research for improving their varieties. The comparative genome analysis, Pfam analysis of predicted reviewed paralogous proteins was performed. It was found that S. lycopersicum proteins belong to more families, domains and clans in comparison with S. tuberosum. It was also found that mostly intergenic regions are conserved in two genomes followed by exons, intron and UTR. This can be exploited to predict regions between genomes that are similar to each other and to study the evolutionary relationship between two genomes, leading towards the development of disease resistance, stress tolerance and improved varieties of tomato.     

The Ultrastructure of the Glandular Trichomes of Solanum tuberosum

The potato plant has two types of glandular trichomes whichwere investigated by electron microscopy. One type has a eight celled globular head on a neck cell anda stalk cell Each glandular cell has many rather large vacuoles,a large nucleus, many ribosomes and mitochondria, a few Golgibodies, and darkly coloured, often irregular plastids (chloroplasts).The plastids are mostly located near the axial cell wall borderinga large central intercellular space filled with secretion materialThe plastids are assumed to participate in the formation ofthe secretion material, which reacts positively to esterasetests. The outer wall is covered by a thin cuticle. The other type has a club-shaped multicellular head on a singlestalk cell. The cytoplasmic features in the cells are similarto those of the globular-headed trichome, except that they possesslarge central vacuoles and randomly distributed plastids. Centricendoplasmic reticulum has been observed in young cells. Intercellularspaces develop between the cells and into the outer wall, whichis thus split into two. Whereas the older glandular cells reactpositively to tests for esterase, the secretion material itselfis pectinaceous and reacts negatively. The outer wall is cutinizedand covered by a cuticle. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, glandular trichomes, ultrastructure     

The infection of apples by Phytophthora syringae

Contamination with infected soil has led to high wastage of apples in storage due to rotting by Phytophthora syringae. At 3-3 ^oC lesions formed 3–4 wk after inoculation with zoospores; the percentage infection fell if the suspensions dried after 48 h at this temperature and after 22 h at 15 ^oC. Infected soil rotted fruit only if kept moist; at 3-3 ^oC a 3-day period of wetness resulted in 37-5% rotting after 8 wk. Fruit dipped in soil slurry remained wet in some parts of a 4361(12 bushel) bin for at least 3 wk. There was a 10-fold increase in rotting by contact between sound and rotting fruit after 11 wk at 3-3 ^oC. Captan gave effective protection against rotting derived from zoospores or infected soil; it had no eradicant action.     

Genetic mapping from field tests of qualitative and quantitative resistance to Phytophthora infestans in a population derived from Solanum tuberosum and Solanum berthaultii

Under controlled field conditions, a Solanum backcross population segregated for resistance to Phytophthora infestans. The population (`BCT') had been derived previously by crossing the Solanum tuberosum dihaploid USW2230 × Solanum berthaultii PI473331 to obtain the hybrid M200-30, and then backcrossing the hybrid to the S. tuberosum dihaploid HH1-9. Resistance was assessed from analyses of epidemics in small plots of each individual genotype, and data were recorded as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The parents of the original cross (USW2230 and a selection from PI473331) were not included in the test, but the hybrid was incompatible and HH1-9 was compatible with the tester strain of P. infestans (US-8 lineage). Somewhat more than half of the progeny also were incompatible with the tester strain, indicating the presence of an R gene. This gene segregated from the S. berthaultii parent and mapped 4.8 cm from the RFLP marker TG63 on chromosome 10. We deduce that the R gene is not R-1, R-2, R-3, R-6, or R-7 and is probably not R-4, R-5, or R-10. Among the remaining, compatible progeny, there was a wide range of quantitative resistance. All were more resistant than the susceptible cultivar Superior, and most individuals were much more resistant than the moderately resistant cultivar Kennebec. AUDPC values among the sub-population of compatible genotypes ranged from about 400 to 1500 units the first year and from 400 to 1760 units the second year. At least five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected in this sub-population in both 1997 and 1998, including one detected through segregation of alleles from both the hybrid parent and the recurrent S. tuberosum parent. A model of main and epistatic effects explained 56% and 66% of the variation observed for quantitative resistance to late blight in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Several of the QTLs for late blight resistance were located in regions of the genome to which QTLs for late maturity have previously been mapped.     

Tolerance and overcompensation to infection by Phytophthora infestans in the wild perennial climber Solanum dulcamara

Studies of infection by Phytophthora infestans—the causal agent of potato late blight—in wild species can provide novel insights into plant defense responses, and indicate how wild plants might be influenced by recurrent epidemics in agricultural fields. In the present study, our aim was to investigate if different clones of Solanum dulcamara (a relative of potato) collected in the wild differ in resistance and tolerance to infection by a common European isolate of P. infestans. We performed infection experiments with six S. dulcamara genotypes (clones) both in the laboratory and in the field and measured the degree of infection and plant performance traits. In the laboratory, the six evaluated genotypes varied from resistant to susceptible, as measured by degree of infection 20 days post infection. Two of the four genotypes susceptible to infection showed a quadratic (concave downward) relationship between the degree of infection and shoot length, with maximum shoot length at intermediate values of infection. This result suggests overcompensation, that is, an increase in growth in infected individuals. The number of leaves decreased with increasing degree of infection, but at different rates in the four susceptible genotypes, indicating genetic variation for tolerance. In the field, the inoculated genotypes did not show any disease symptoms, but plant biomass at the end of the growing season was higher for inoculated plants than for controls, in‐line with the overcompensation detected in the laboratory. We conclude that in S. dulcamara there are indications of genetic variation for both resistance and tolerance to P. infestans infection. Moreover, some genotypes displayed overcompensation. Learning about plant tolerance and overcompensation to infection by pathogens can help broaden our understanding of plant defense in natural populations and help develop more sustainable plant protection strategies for economically important crop diseases.