Response of antioxidative enzymes to plum pox virus in two apricot cultivars

Recent evidence has indicated that activated oxygen species (AOS) may function as molecular signals in the induction of defence genes. In the present work, the response of antioxidative enzymes to the plum pox virus (PPV) was examined in two apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars, which behaved differently against PPV infection. In the inoculated resistant cultivar (Goldrich), a decrease in catalase (CAT) as well as an increase in total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activities were observed. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) did not change significantly in relation to non-inoculated (control) plants. In the susceptible cultivar (Real Fino), inoculation with PPV brought about a decrease in CAT, SOD and GR, whereas a rise in APX, MDHAR and DHAR activities was found in comparison to non-inoculated (control) plants. Apricot leaves contain only CuZn-SOD isozymes, which responded differently to PPV depending on the cultivar. Goldrich leaves contained 6 SODs and both SOD 1 and SOD 2 increased in the inoculated plants. In leaves from Real Fino, 5 SODs were detected and only SOD 5 was increased in inoculated plants. The different behaviour of SODs (H2O2-generating enzymes) and APX (an H2O2-remover enzyme) in both cultivars suggests an important role for H2O2 in the response to PPV of the resistant cultivar, in which no change in APX activity was observed. This result also points to further studies in order to determine if an alternative H2O2-scavenging mechanism takes place in the resistant apricot cultivar exposed to PPV. On the other hand, the ability of the inoculated resistant cultivar to induce SOD 1 and SOD 2 as well as the important increase of DHAR seems to suggest a relationship between these activities and resistance to PPV. This is the first report about the effect of PPV infection on the antioxidative enzymes of apricot plants. It opens the way for the further studies, which are necessary for a better understanding of the role of antioxidative processes in viral infection by PPV in apricot plants.     

Oxidative stress induced by long-term plum pox virus infection in peach (Prunus persica)

In this study, the effect of long-term plum pox virus (PPV) infection on the response of certain antioxidant enzymes at the subcellular level was studied in peach plants ( Prunus persica (L.) Batch) (cv. GF305), which are characterized by great susceptibility to the virus. In infected plants, a decrease in the efficiency of excitation energy capture by PSII ( F _v'/ F _m') was observed, which was accompanied by a decrease in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). p -Hydroxy-mercury benzoic acid (pHMB)-insensitive ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (class III peroxidase) was detected in both chloroplast and soluble fractions. In soluble fractions from inoculated peaches, a significant increase in pHMB-sensitive APX activity and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed. These changes were correlated with the observations in isolated chloroplasts, where an increase in both pHMB-sensitive and pHMB-insensitive APX activities was observed, whereas significant decreases in SOD, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were produced. According to these results, as a consequence of PPV infection, an oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, was produced in peach leaves, which was monitored by the diaminobenzidine (DAB) peroxidase-coupled H₂O₂ probe. PPV infection produced an alteration in chloroplast ultrastructure, giving rise to dilated thylakoid membranes. PPV-infected peach leaves showed a decreased amount of starch in chloroplasts from palisade parenchyma, as well as an increase in the number and size of plastoglobuli, in relation to control plants. The results suggest that long-term PPV infection produces an oxidative stress, and that an antioxidative metabolism imbalance may be related to the progress of PPV infection and symptoms in peach plants.     

Oxidative stress induction by Prunus necrotic ringspot virus infection in apricot seeds

Prunus necrotic ringspot rvirus (PNRSV) was able to invade the immature apricot seed including the embryo. The amount of virus was very high inside the embryo compared with that present in the cotyledons. PNRSV infection produced an oxidative stress in apricot seeds as indicated by the increase in lipid peroxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. This lipid peroxidation increase was parallelled with an imbalance in the seed antioxidant enzymes. A significant decrease in the ascorbate–GSH cycle enzymes as well as in peroxidase (POX) activity took place in infected seeds, suggesting a low capability to eliminate H₂O₂. No changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase activity were observed. A significant decrease in polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity was also observed. Native PAGE revealed the presence of three different SOD activity bands in apricot seeds: a Mn-containing SOD and two CuZn-containing SODs. Only an isozyme with catalase, glutathione reductase (GR) or PPO activity was detected in both healthy and infected apricot seeds. Regarding POX staining, three bands with POX activity were detected in native gels in both healthy and infected seeds. The gel results emphasise that the drop detected in POX, GR and PPO activities in PNRSV-infected apricot seeds by kinetic analyses was also evident from the results obtained by native PAGE. The oxidative stress and the imbalance in the antioxidant systems from PNRSV-infected apricot seeds resemble the hypersensitive response observed in some virus–host interactions. This defence mechanism would inactivate PNRSV during seed formation and/or the storage period or even during seed germination. Those results can explain the decrease in seed germination and the low transmission of PNRSV by seeds in apricot trees.     

Activity of Enzymes Related to H2O2 Generation and Metabolism in Leaf Apoplastic Fraction of Tomato Leaves Infected with Botrytis cinerea

Hydrogen peroxide generation rates of uninfected and infected leaves of two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars showing differential susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea were determined. The superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, ascorbate contents and changes in NADH peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities in the apoplast fraction were analysed. Infected leaves had an increased hydrogen peroxide level. It was greater and generally occurred earlier in plants of the less susceptible cv. Perkoz than in those of the more susceptible cv. Corindo. Induction of nitrotetrazolium blue reducing activity and SOD levels in apoplast were higher in cv. Perkoz 24 h after inoculation. In the controls, NADH peroxidase activity in apoplast was higher in the more susceptible cv. Corindo, but after infection it increased faster and to a higher level in the less susceptible cv. Perkoz. NADH oxidation was inhibited by only 15% by a specific inhibitor DPI (diphenylene‐iodonium) but was completely inhibited by KCN and NaN₃. Similar increases in APX activity after 48 h and a small increase in catalase activities were observed in both cultivars soon after infection. These results indicate that resistance of tomato plants to infection by the necrotrophic fungus B. cinerea may result from early stimulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical generations by NADH peroxidase and SOD in apoplastic space, and they confirm the important role of their enhanced production in apoplastic spaces of plants.     

Changes in the antioxidative metabolism induced by Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus infection in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) is the causal agent of “viruela” disease, one of the limiting factors to apricot production in affected areas in the Southeast of Spain. In this work, the response of antioxidant enzymes to ACLSV infection of an indicator peach genotype, ‘GF305’, which is characterised by a great susceptibility to this virus, was studied before (short-period incubation) and after (long-period incubation) a cold treatment. Short-period ACLSV incubation caused significant changes in ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) activities. In addition, long-period ACLSV incubation caused significant changes of activities in most of the antioxidant enzymes examined. The results show increases in the APX, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, whereas POX suffered a decrease of about 34%.No changes in lipid peroxidation, measured as TBARS, were observed in peach leaves as a consequence of the long-period ACLSV incubation. Overall, the data show that long-period ACLSV incubation did not produce any symptoms in peach GF305 leaves or damage to membranes (no changes in lipid peroxidation), and this response was correlated with an increase in the antioxidant defences in leaves, such as the ASC-GSH cycle enzymes and the SOD and GST activities.     

Long-term plum pox virus infection produces an oxidative stress in a susceptible apricot, Prunus armeniaca, cultivar but not in a resistant cultivar

The effect of plum pox virus (PPV) infection on the response of some antioxidant enzymes was studied in two apricot cultivars, which behaved differently against PPV infection: cultivar Real Fino (susceptible) and cultivar Stark Early Orange (cv. SEO, resistant). In the susceptible cultivar, PPV produced a decrease in Φ _PSII, F '_v/ F '_m and Q _p. PPV infection produced a drop in p -hydroxy mercury benzoic acid (pHMB)-sensitive ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase and peroxidase in the soluble fraction from susceptible plants, whereas in the resistant apricot cultivar, pHMB-insensitive ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase increased. However, catalase decreased in the soluble fractions from both infected cultivars. Long-term PPV infection also produced a decrease in the chloroplastic ascorbate–glutathione cycle enzymes only in the susceptible plants. As a consequence of PPV infection, an oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation and in protein oxidation, was produced only in the leaves from the susceptible cultivar which was also monitored by the diaminobenzidine peroxidase-coupled H₂O₂ probe. The loss of Φ _PSII, indicative of activated oxygen species production, and the decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes in chloroplasts from susceptible plants could be responsible for the chlorosis symptoms observed. The results suggest that the higher antioxidant capacity showed by cv. SEO could be a consequence of a systemic acquired resistance induced by PPV penetration in stem tissue at the graft site and could be related, among other factors, to their resistance to PPV.     

Antioxidant enzymes as biochemical markers for sharka resistance in apricot

The activity of antioxidant enzymes in different apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars, resistant or susceptible to Plum pox virus (PPV), was analyzed during the years 2002 and 2003. Resistant cultivars showed higher activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) than susceptible cultivars. Only CuZn-SOD isozymes were detected in the apricot cultivars. However, no correlation was observed between this isozyme pattern and the resistance to PPV. On the other hand, PPV-resistant apricot cultivars could have a greater capability for elimination of H₂O₂ and recycling of ascorbate-glutathione cycle, and they have at least two of these enzymatic activities (CAT, APX and DHAR) over the average. In contrast, this response was not observed in the susceptible cultivars. All these data suggest that the activities of CAT, APX and DHAR could be used as biochemical markers of sharka resistance in apricot.     

Biochemical alterations in leaves of resistant and susceptible cotton genotypes infected systemically by cotton leaf curl Burewala virus

Leaf curl disease caused by Cotton Leaf Curl Burewala virus (CLCuBuV) has been recognized as serious threat to cotton in Indian subcontinent. However, information about cotton–CLCuBuV interaction is still limited. In this study, the level of phenolic compounds, total soluble proteins, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), proteases, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were studied in leaves of two susceptible (CIM-496 & NIAB-111) and two resistant (Ravi and Co Tiep Khac) cotton genotypes. Disease symptoms were mild in the resistant genotypes but were severe in highly susceptible genotypes. The results showed that phenolic compounds, proteins, PAL, POX, CAT, proteases, SOD, PPO, and MDA play an active role in disease resistance against CLCuBuV. The amount of total phenols, proteases, MDA, and PPO was significantly higher in leaves of CLCuBuV-inoculated plants of both resistant genotypes as in non-inoculated plants, and decreased in CLCuBuV-inoculated plants of both susceptible genotypes over their healthy plants. POX, protein content, SOD, and PAL activities showed lower values in resistant genotypes, while they decreased significantly in susceptible genotypes as compared to the noninoculated plants except PAL, which showed non-significant decrease. CAT was found to be increased in both susceptible and resistant genotypes with maximum percent increase in resistant genotype Ravi, as compared to non-inoculated plants. The results showed significantly higher concentrations of total phenols and higher activity of protease, MDA, SOD, and PPO in resistant genotype Ravi after infection with CLCuBuV, suggesting that there is a correlation between constitutive induced levels of these enzymes and plant resistance that could be considered as biochemical markers for studying plant-virus compatible and incompatible interactions.     

Effects of salicylic acid and cold treatments on protein levels and on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the apoplast of winter wheat leaves

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) and cold on apoplastic protein levels and activities of apoplastic catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were investigated in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Dogu-88) leaves. The plants were grown with and without 10 microM SA treatment at both control (20/18 degrees C for 30 and 45-day) and cold (10/5 degrees C for 30-day and 5/3 degrees C for 45-day) acclimatisations. Molecular masses of the apoplastic polypeptides were shown ranging in size from 20 to 66 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Accumulation and pattern of the polypeptides were changed by both SA and cold. It is observed that CAT, POX and PPO activities at 45-day control leaves were higher than at 30-day. When the activities with SA and cold treatments are compared to their controls, CAT activities were decreased while POX and PPO activities were increased by both the treatments. When the activities with cold+SA treatment are compared to their cold treatments, CAT and POX activities were decreased while PPO activity was increased by SA. It is concluded that exogenous SA can be involved in cold tolerance by regulating apoplastic proteins and antioxidant enzyme activities.     

Analogues of virus resistance genes map to QTLs for resistance to sharka disease in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus davidiana</Emphasis>

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causative agent of sharka disease in Prunoideae, is one of the most serious problems affecting stone fruit production in Europe and America. Resistance to PPV was previously described in a Prunus davidiana clone, P1908, and introduced into peach (Prunus persica) genotypes. Genetic resistance to PPV displays a complex pattern of quantitative inheritance. An analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance was performed on an F1 interspecific peach population obtained from a cross between the susceptible nectarine cultivar Summergrand and P. davidiana. The hybrids were graft-inoculated with PPV in duplicate following a classical procedure. The incidence of infection was evaluated four times, over two vegetative cycles, by symptom observation and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays (ELISA). Restriction of systemic downward movement of the PPV virus was also evaluated by testing the susceptible rootstocks. Using both analysis of variance and non-parametric tests, six genomic regions involved in PPV resistance were detected. Depending on the scoring data considered, between 22 and 51% of the phenotypic variance could be explained by the quantitative model. One QTL, located in the distal region of linkage group 1, maps in a genomic region that is syntenic to the location of a resistance gene previously identified in the apricot cv. Goldrich. Some QTLs appeared to be temporally specific, reflecting the environmental dependence of PPV-resistance scoring. Candidate gene fragments were amplified by PCR, isolated and mapped on the peach interspecific linkage map. We report here the co-localization of three analogues of virus resistance genes with two distinct genomic regions linked to PPV resistance in P. davidiana.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Effects of salicylic acid and salinity on apoplastic antioxidant enzymes in two wheat cultivars differing in salt tolerance

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) and salinity on the activity of apoplastic antioxidant enzymes were studied in the leaves of two wheat (Triticum aestivam L.) cultivars: salt-tolerant (Gerek-79) and salt-sensitive (Bezostaya). The leaves of 10-d-old seedlings grown at nutrient solution with 0 (control), 250 or 500 mM NaCl were sprayed with 0.01 or 0.1 mM SA. Then, the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the fresh leaves obtained from 15-d-old seedlings. The NaCl applications increased CAT and SOD activities in both cultivars, compared to those of untreated control plants. In addition, the NaCl increased POX activity in the salt-tolerant while decreased in the salt-sensitive cultivar. In control plants of the both cultivars, 0.1 mM SA increased CAT activity, while 0.01 mM SA slightly decreased it. SA treatments also stimulated SOD and POX activity in the salt-tolerant cultivar but significantly decreased POX activity and had no effect on SOD activity in the saltsensitive cultivar. Under salinity, the SA treatments significantly inhibited CAT activity, whereas increased POX activity. The increases in POX activity caused by SA were more pronounced in the salt-tolerant than in the salt-sensitive cultivar. SOD activity was increased by 0.01 mM SA in the salt-tolerant while increased by 0.1 mM SA treatment in the salt-sensitive cultivar.     

Age-Dependent Changes in Levels of Ascorbic Acid and Chlorogenic Acid, and Activities of Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase in the Apoplast of Tobacco leaves: Mechanism of the Oxidation of Chlorogenic Acid in the Apoplast

In order to understand browning in tobacco plants during aging,age-dependent changes in the levels of ascorbic acid (AA) andchlorogenic acid (CGA) and its isomers were investigated inthe apoplast and the symplast of the leaves. Also activitiesof peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined.AA decreased during aging until it was no longer detectablein the apoplast, while symplastic AA remained although the leveldecreased on aging. In contrast, levels of CGA and its isomersand activity of POX in the apoplast increased on aging, whilethose in the symplast remained nearly constant in mature andold leaves. The activity of SOD in the apoplast increased duringaging, while that in the symplast decreased. Oxidation of CGAby the apoplastic solution was observed in the absence of externallyadded H₂O₂ and the oxidation was inhibited by SOD and catalase.Brown components, which contained caffeic acid moieties, accumulatedin the apoplast on aging and the components produced O–₂and H₂O₂ by autooxidation. From these results, we conclude (i)that brown components are formed in the apoplast by the CGA/POXsystem, (ii) that the H₂O₂ required for the reaction can beprovided by the CGA/POX system itself and by autooxidation ofthe brown components, and (iii) that apoplastic SOD functionsto generate H₂O₂ from apoplastically formed O–₂. (Received February 8, 1999; Accepted May 7, 1999)     

Compartmentation of Assimilate Fluxes in Leaves

Abstract: Sugar levels in the apoplast of assimilate exporting leaves were studied in two groups of plant species with contrasting structures of companion cells in minor veins. These species are termed either "symplastic" (with intermediary cells) or "apoplastic" (with transfer or ordinary cells). Sugars were measured in intercellular washing fluid after extracting the apoplast by an infiltration-centrifugation technique. During the course of a day, sugar contents in the apoplast were, in general, lower in species with intermediary cells than in species with transfer or ordinary cells. In "symplastic" species, apoplastic sucrose concentrations were between 0.3 and 1 mM. In "apoplastic" species with transfer cells, they ranged between 2 and 6 mM. Apoplastic hexose contents were between 0.3 and 1 mM irrespective of presumed transport mode. "Symplastic" and "apoplastic" plants differed markedly in their response to a'translocation block. In "symplastic" plants, inhibition of assimilate export left apoplastic concentrations of sucrose and hexoses unchanged, whereas in "apoplastic" plants sugar levels increased, the maximal increase being observed with sucrose. In these plants, concentrations of sucrose were two to six times higher in the apoplast under export inhibition than in control leaves. The data suggest a different role of the leaf apoplast in the compartmentation and export of assimilates in the two plant groups under study.     

The occurrence of nitrate reductase in leaves of prunus species

Nitrate reductase was found in leaves of apricot Prunus armeniaca, sour cherry P. cerasus, sweet cherry P. avium, and plum P. domestica, but not in peach P. persica, from trees grown in sand culture receiving a nitrate containing nutrient solution. Nitrate was found in the leaves of all species. Nitrate and nitrate reductase were found in leaves of field-grown apricot, sour cherry, and plum trees. The enzyme-extracting medium contained insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone, and including dithiothreitol or mercaptobenzothiazole did not improve enzyme recovery. Inclusion of cherry leaf extract diminished, and peach leaf extract abolished, recovery of nitrate reductase from oat tissue. Low molecular weight phenols liberated during extraction were probably responsible for inactivation of the enzyme. The enzyme from apricot was two to three times as active as from the other species. Both nicotine adenine diphosphopyridine nucleotide and flavin mononucleotide were effective electron donors. The enzyme was readily induced in apricot leaves by 10 mm nitrate supplied through the leaf petiole.     

Localisation and movement of Plum pox virus in apricot stem tissues

Localisation and movement of Plum pox virus (PPV), sharka disease, in stem tissues of susceptible and resistant apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars was studied. Two different assays were performed. In the first assay, apricot cultivars were grafted on to a non‐inoculated GF305 peach rootstock and, after two months, the sprouted apricot was inoculated by chip‐grafting. In the second assay, apricot cultivars were grafted on to a previously chip‐inoculated GF305 showing strong PPV symptoms. Localisation of virus was studied in apricot stem by immuno‐tissue printing and sharka symptoms in GF305 and apricot leaves were also observed. Virus was mainly localised in the xylem, and sometimes in the cortex and pith. Results revealed that, while all the cultivars allowed limited virus movement from the inoculation point, only the susceptible cultivars (Screara, Bebeco and Colomer) allowed long distance movement and even showed symptoms in leaves.     

Defense response of resistant and susceptible genotypes of castor (Ricinus communis L.) to wilt disease

The biochemical basis of resistance in castor (Ricinus communis L.) to Fusarium wilt, caused by the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini, was investigated. Induction of plant defence against pathogen attack is regulated by a complex network of different signals. Thus changes in various biochemical defenses including antioxidant enzymes, phenolic compounds and pathogenesis related (PR) proteins were investigated in the roots of resistant and susceptible genotypes of castor at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h.a.i. Infection by F. oxysporum significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activities in the roots of susceptible genotypes, while the catalase (CAT) activities were appreciably higher in the roots of resistant genotypes at different stages. Constitutive levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were higher in the resistant genotypes. Also, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and β 1, 3 glucanase significantly increased in the roots of the resistant genotypes after infections. The rate of increment of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was higher in resistant genotypes after infection. Analysis of isozyme banding pattern of SOD, POX, PPO and esterase on native PAGE electrophoresis revealed that interaction between plant and fungi invoked various isozymes at 48 h of infection. SOD 3 was observed only in resistant genotypes at 24 h.a.i. except Geeta. Similarly induction of POX 5 was observed only in resistant genotypes at 48 h of infection, though the intensity of POX 5 was very less.     

Antioxidative enzymatic protection in leaves of two contrasting cowpea cultivars under salinity

The aim of this work was to investigate the role of the antioxidant enzymes in salt tolerance comparing the salt-sensitive (Pérola) and a salt-tolerant (Pitiúba) cultivar of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Salt stress (100 mM NaCl for 8 d) reduced the leaf growth rate more in the sensitive cultivar. The salt-induced decrease in the relative water content, Na⁺ accumulation and increase in leaf electrolyte leakage was similar in both cultivars. Salt stress induced a higher increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and phenol peroxidase (POX) in the tolerant cultivar than in sensitive one.     

Biochemical insights into basal and induced resistance in cabbage to black rot

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is the most devastating disease of brassica, but the mechanisms of basal or induced resistance in cabbage remain largely unknown. Here, we performed three experiments to investigate biochemical features associated with cabbage resistance to black rot. In the first experiment, biochemical changes were assessed in plants that were inoculated with a highly (UFPR 5) or a moderately (Xcc 10) aggressive Xcc isolate. In the second experiment, we examined the biochemical responses in two cultivars (Chato de Quintal [CQ] and Louco de Verão [LV], susceptible and moderately resistant to Xcc, respectively). Finally, we examined whether acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) could induce cabbage resistance to Xcc. Plants inoculated with the Xcc 10 isolate displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), whereas activities of chitinase (CHI), β‐1,3‐glucanase (GLU) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as well as the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were lower compared to plants inoculated with the UFPR 5 isolate. The resistance of the cultivar LV to Xcc was linked to increases in the activities of CHI, GLU, and PPO and decreases in the activities of SOD, POX and APX as well as in the concentrations of H₂O₂ and MDA relative to the cultivar CQ. In general, ASM‐sprayed plants displayed higher activities for the enzymes studied, which was associated with decreased disease symptoms and oxidative stress. Taken together, our results demonstrated that high activities of both defence and antioxidant enzymes played a major role in both basal and induced resistance of cabbage to black rot.     

Changes in leaf gas exchange,chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant metabolism within wheat leaves infected by Bipolaris sorokiniana

The photosynthetic performance (leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a (Chla) fluorescence), activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX)] and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the flag leaves of plants from two wheat cultivars with contrasting levels of resistance to spot blotch was assessed. Spot blotch severity was significantly lower in plants from cv. BR‐18 compared to cv. Guamirim. Net carbon assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and concentrations of Chla, Chlab and carotenoids were significantly decreased from fungal infection. In contrast, internal CO₂ concentration was significantly increased from fungal infection in comparison to their non‐inoculated counterparts. Similarly, inoculation significantly reduced photochemical performance in the inoculated flag leaves in comparison to their non‐inoculated counterparts. However, plants from cv. BR‐18 were able to sustain greater functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus during fungal infection process compared to cv. Guamirim. The activities of SOD, POX, APX and CAT increased in inoculated flag leaves from both cultivars compared to non‐inoculated plants, and the highest increases were measured in cv. BR‐18. The greater activities of these enzymes were associated with a reduced H₂O₂ concentration in the inoculated flag leaves from cv. BR‐18, resulting, therefore, in a lower MDA concentration. Thus, a more efficient antioxidative system in flag leaves from cv. BR‐18 plays a pivotal role in removing the excess reactive oxygen species that were generated during the infection process of Bipolaris sorokiniana, therefore limiting cellular damage and largely preserving the photosynthetic efficiency of the infected flag leaves.