丛枝菌根菌丝桥介导的番茄植株根系间抗病信号的传递

菌根菌丝桥是植物间在地下进行物质交流的通道, 但它能否作为植物间地下化学通讯的通道来传递抗病信号则缺乏研究. 本文利用丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）摩西球囊霉在供体与受体番茄植株间建立菌丝桥, 对供体植株接种早疫病病原菌茄链格孢菌, 研究供体与受体番茄植株根系间是否存在抗病信号的传递. 荧光定量PCR检测表明, AMF侵染后的供体番茄植株再接种病原菌, 其根系中苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因（PAL)、脂氧合酶基因（LOX）和几丁质酶基因（PR₃）的转录水平显著高于仅接种病原菌、未接种病原菌和AMF, 以及只接种AMF的番茄植株. 更重要的是, 与供体有菌丝桥连接的受体番茄根系中PAL、LOX和PR₃的基因的表达量也显著高于无菌丝桥连接、菌丝桥连接被阻断以及有菌丝桥连接但供体植物未接种病原菌的处理,3个基因最高转录水平达到无菌丝桥连接对照受体植物的4.2、4.5和3.5倍. 此外, 供体植株根系启动防御反应的时间（18和65 h）比受体（100和140 h）早. 表明病原菌诱导番茄供体根系产生的抗病信号可以通过菌丝桥传递到受体根系.     

茉莉酸介导丛枝菌根真菌诱导番茄抗早疫病的机制

丛枝菌根真菌的定殖可以提高寄主植物的抗病性,但机制并不十分清楚。利用番茄茉莉酸信号转导途径前系统素过表达材料35S::PS、茉莉酸合成突变体spr2、茉莉酸信号识别突变体jai1及其野生型CM 4个不同基因型材料,分别在根系接种丛枝菌根真菌摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae, Fm),待菌根形成后,在叶片外源喷施10 mL 0.5μmol/L茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)和接种番茄早疫病病原菌(Alternaria solani, As),比较不同基因型抗病防御反应以及对早疫病抗性的差异。结果表明:预先接种菌根真菌的CM和35S::PS番茄,在叶片接种病菌5 d和10 d后,其叶片中过氧化物酶(POD)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)和脂氧合酶(LOX)活性以及丙二烯氧化物环化酶基因(AOC)和茉莉酸信号受体基因(COI1)的转录水平显著高于只接种早疫病菌的处理、只接种菌根菌的处理以及未进行任何处理的健康植株,其早疫病发病率和病情指数也显著降低;外源喷施MeJA可增强预先接种菌根菌的CM和35S::PS番茄植抵抗早疫病的能力。与此同时,对预先接种菌根菌的spr2番茄外源喷施MeJA后接种早疫病菌,其酶活性和基因转录水平显著高于其他4个处理,发病率和病情指数也明显降低。然而,对jai1番茄进行MeJA处理不能增强其防御反应和抗病性。可见,丛枝菌根真菌侵染诱导番茄抗早疫病是与茉莉酸信号途径密切相关的。     

分根培养系统中AM真菌抑制大豆胞囊线虫病的效应

在分根培养系统中将大豆(Glycine max Merrill)幼苗接种丛枝菌根(Arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)、幼套球囊霉(G.etunicatum)或/和大豆胞囊线虫(SCN,Heterodera glycines)后,定期测定大豆根系中AM真菌及线虫侵染率、病情指数、过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶及几丁质酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,将大豆胞囊线虫与AM真菌接种于分根培养系统同一室或分别接种于不同室,AM真菌均能显著降低大豆病情指数和线虫侵染速率,且将二者接种同一室处理的效果大于不同室处理;与只接种SCN的处理相比,接种摩西球囊霉和幼套球囊霉3周后在同室接种SCN处理的根围土壤中胞囊数、根上胞囊数和根内线虫数分别降低了47.4%、58.9%、46.6%和50.5%、67.0%、57.5%,表明AM真菌能显著抑制线虫的发育;摩西球囊霉和幼套球囊霉在一定时间段内诱导了大豆根系过氧化物酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶及几丁质酶的活性。摩西球囊霉和幼套球囊霉能够诱导大豆植株抵抗大豆胞囊线虫的侵染,既能在同一室的根围局部与SCN竞争侵染位点,又能对不同室的根系诱导产生防御性酶,推测摩西球囊霉和幼套球囊霉拮抗SCN的效应既是局部的,也是系统性的。     

地表球囊霉诱发番茄抗早疫病的机理

丛枝菌根可以改善植物营养状况,提高宿主植物的抗病性.本文研究了番茄幼苗预先接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)地表球囊霉后对番茄植株保护酶活性和防御反应基因表达,以及对番茄早疫病抗性的影响.结果表明:被AMF侵染的番茄植株在接种早疫病病原菌茄链格孢菌后,其叶片内的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性迅速提高.其中SOD酶活性在接种后18h达到最高,比只接种地表球囊霉(G)、茄链格孢菌(A)以及未接种AMF和病原菌的对照(CK)分别高28.6％、79.2％和82.8％;POD酶活性在接种后65 h达到最高,分别比G、A处理和CK高762％、18.3％和1710％.经荧光定量PCR检测表明,AMF侵染后的番茄植株再接种病原菌,其叶片中PR1(病程相关蛋白基因)、PR2(β-1,3-葡聚糖酶基因)和PR3(几丁质酶基因)基因的最高转录水平达到CK的9.67、8.54和13.4倍.与CK相比,先接种地表球囊霉再接种茄链格孢菌的番茄植株(GA)的早疫病发病率和病情指数分别降低了36.3％和61.4％.预先接种AMF的番茄植株在遇到病原菌袭击时诱导的防御反应强而迅速,诱发(priming)可能是菌根真菌提高宿主植物抗病性的重要机制.     

AM真菌和胞囊线虫对大豆根内酶活性的影响

将‘鲁豆4号’大豆接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌聚生球囊霉Glomus fasiculatum和大豆胞囊线虫(SCN)Heterodera glycines 4号生理小种后, 定期测定大豆根系中AM真菌及线虫侵染速率、过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3葡聚糖酶及几丁质酶活性的动态变化。结果表明, 接种AM真菌大豆根系中4种酶活性高于对照水平; 先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理根系中POD、PAL及几丁质酶的活性高于只接种SCN的处理,并且酶活性峰值出现的时间均早于或相当于后者。另外,PAL及几丁质酶活性出现高峰时期也正是AM真菌侵染率迅速升高及线虫侵染速率快速下降期。因此,AM真菌先激活了大豆的防御反应,然后使其对SCN的侵染产生快速反应,PAL及几丁质酶在AM真菌诱导的抗、耐线虫病害机制中起重要作用。值得注意的是,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理大豆根系中,β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性低于只接种AM真菌的处理。作者认为本试验条件下,该酶在大豆抗SCN病害中的作用表现不明显。     

AM真菌和胞囊线虫对大豆根内酶活性的影响*

将‘鲁豆4号’大豆接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌聚生球囊霉Glomus fasiculatum和大豆胞囊线虫(SCN)Heterodera glycines 4号生理小种后, 定期测定大豆根系中AM真菌及线虫侵染速率、过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3葡聚糖酶及几丁质酶活性的动态变化。结果表明, 接种AM真菌大豆根系中4种酶活性高于对照水平; 先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理根系中POD、PAL及几丁质酶的活性高于只接种SCN的处理,并且酶活性峰值出现的时间均早于或相当于后者。另外,PAL及几丁质酶活性出现高峰时期也正是AM真菌侵染率迅速升高及线虫侵染速率快速下降期。因此,AM真菌先激活了大豆的防御反应,然后使其对SCN的侵染产生快速反应,PAL及几丁质酶在AM真菌诱导的抗、耐线虫病害机制中起重要作用。值得注意的是,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理大豆根系中,β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性低于只接种AM真菌的处理。作者认为本试验条件下,该酶在大豆抗SCN病害中的作用表现不明显。     

AM真菌和胞囊线虫对大豆根内酶活性的影响

将‘鲁豆4号’大豆接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌聚生球囊霉Glomus fasiculatum和大豆胞囊线虫(SCN)Heterodera glycines4号生理小种后,定期测定大豆根系中AM真菌及线虫侵染速率、过氧化物酶(POD)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β—1,3葡聚糖酶及几丁质酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,接种AM真菌大豆根系中4种酶活性高于对照水平：先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理根系中POD、PAL及几丁质酶的活性高于只接种SCN的处理,并且酶活性峰值出现的时间均早于或相当于后者。另外,PAL及几丁质酶活性出现高峰时期也正是AM真菌侵染率迅速升高及线虫侵染速率快速下降期。因此,AM真菌先激活了大豆的防御反应,然后使其对SCN的侵染产生快速反应,PAL及几丁质酶在AM真菌诱导的抗、耐线虫病害机制中起重要作用。值得注意的是,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN处理大豆根系中,β—1,3葡聚糖酶活性低于只接种AM真菌的处理。作者认为本试验条件下,该酶在大豆抗SCN病害中的作用表现不明显。     

Chib1和PAL5基因在AM真菌Glomus fasciculatus诱导大豆抗线虫病害防御反应中的作用

本研究系统分析了大豆(品种:‘鲁豆4’)接种AM真菌Glomusfasciculatum和胞囊线虫(SCN,Heteroderaglycines)4号生理小种后各处理菌根和线虫侵染率、几丁质酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性及几丁质酶基因Chib1和苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因PAL5转录物的动态变化。结果表明,接种SCN对AM真菌的侵染率没有产生显著影响,但先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内线虫侵染率明显低于只接种SCN的处理。另外,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内几丁质酶和PAL活性显著提高,活性高峰出现在接种线虫后的第3天。值得注意的是,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内两种基因Chib1和PAL5转录物高峰也出现在接种SCN后的第3天,即AM真菌侵染率快速上升而SCN侵染率快速下降时期。所以Chib1和PAL5基因的表达可能是AM真菌诱导的抗大豆胞囊线虫病害防御反应的一种表现。因此推测Chib1和PAL5直接参与了AM真菌诱导大豆抗胞囊线虫病害的防御反应。     

Chib1和PAL5基因在AM真菌Glomus fasciculatus诱导大豆抗线虫病害防御反应中的作用

本研究系统分析了大豆（品种：‘鲁豆4’）接种AM真菌Glomus fasciculatum和胞囊线虫（SCN,Heterodera glycines）4号生理小种后各处理菌根和线虫侵染率、几丁质酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）活性及几丁质酶基因Chib1和苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因PAL5转录物的动态变化。结果表明,接种SCN对AM真菌的侵染率没有产生显著影响,但先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内线虫侵染率明显低于只接种SCN的处理。另外,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内几丁质酶和PAL活性显著提高,活性高峰出现在接种线虫后的第3天。值得注意的是,先接种AM真菌后接种SCN的大豆根内两种基因Chib1和PAL5转录物高峰也出现在接种SCN后的第3天,即AM真菌侵染率快速上升而SCN侵染率快速下降时期。所以Chib1和PAL5基因的表达可能是AM真菌诱导的抗大豆胞囊线虫病害防御反应的一种表现。因此推测Chib1和PAL5直接参与了AM真菌诱导大豆抗胞囊线虫病害的防御反应。     

AM真菌摩西管柄囊霉对干旱胁迫下枳抗氧化酶基因表达的影响

测定分析了接种丛枝菌根（AM）真菌摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae对正常供水与干旱处理的盆栽枳Poncirus trifoliata实生苗生长、活性氧代谢及抗氧化酶基因表达量的影响。结果表明,7周干旱处理显著降低了根系菌根侵染率。接种摩西管柄囊霉显著促进了干旱处理的枳植株生长,增加了根系体积和叶片相对含水量,显著降低了叶片脯氨酸含量,同时也上调了干旱处理的枳叶片精氨酸脱羧酶基因（PtADC1和PtADC2）和超氧化物歧化酶基因（PtFe-SOD和PtMn-SOD）、过氧化物酶基因（PtPOD）和过氧化氢酶基因（PtCAT1）的表达,因而维持了一个相对更低的活性氧水平（如过氧化氢）,有利于增强植株的抗旱性。     

Defence-related Enzymes in Pepper Roots During Interactions with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and/or Verticillium dahliae

Previous studies have described that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can reduce the deleterious effect of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. on pepper growth and yield. In mycorrhizal plants, the bioprotection against soil-borne pathogens can result from the preactivation of defence responses that include some structural modifications and the accumulation of Pathogenesis-Related (PR) proteins. Our first objective was to study if V. dahliae induced defence mechanisms in roots before infected pepper developed visible symptoms of disease. The second aim was to determine if AMF induced defence-related enzymatic activities in pepper roots before or after pathogen’s attack. Results showed that the colonization of pepper roots by Glomus deserticola (Trappe, Bloss and Menge) induced the appearance of new isoforms of acidic chitinases, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and, at early stages, peroxidases. In contrast, V. dahliae neither stimulated the phenylpropanoid pathway nor elicited hydrolytic activities in infected pepper roots. Only in mycorrhizal plants, the inoculation with V. dahliae slightly increased both phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase activities two weeks later. Mycorrhizal-specific induction of new isoforms of acidic chitinases and SOD together with enhanced peroxidase and PAL activities 2 weeks after pathogen inoculation could be involved in the biocontrol of Verticillium-induced wilt in pepper by AMF.     

机械损伤对Bt玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应

植物在生长过程中形成了抵御机械损伤等外界胁迫的直接和间接防御体系, 并具有明显的系统性特征。Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)玉米(Zea mays)是全球商品化最快的抗虫转基因作物之一。机械损伤等外界胁迫对Bt玉米和常规玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应是否存在差异是值得探讨的问题。该文以两个不同转化事件的Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’(Bt11)和‘5422CBCL’(Mon810)以及它们共同的同源常规玉米‘5422’幼苗为材料, 对玉米第一叶进行机械损伤处理6 h后, 检测非损伤部位(第二叶和根系)中Bt蛋白含量、直接防御物质丁布(DIMBDA)含量及其调控基因(Bx1、Bx6和Bx9)表达、直接防御物质总酚含量及其调控基因(PAL)表达、直接防御蛋白调控基因(MPI和PR-2a)表达以及间接防御物质挥发物调控基因(FPS和TPS)表达的变化。结果表明, 与健康植株相比, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米第二叶和根系的Bt蛋白含量均没有显著影响; 机械损伤第一叶只能系统诱导常规玉米‘5422’第二叶中PAL、TPS和根系中PAL、FPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量显著增加, 但根中丁布含量及其调控基因Bx6和Bx9基因的表达量明显下降; 而机械损伤能系统诱导Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’第二叶中Bx6、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、Bx9、PAL、MPI、PR-2a、TPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量明显增加; 对于另一Bt玉米‘5422CBCL’而言, 机械损伤能系统诱导第二叶中Bx9、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、PAL、MPI、TPS基因的表达, 使得根系的总酚含量显著增加。由此可见, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米化学防御反应的系统诱导作用均强于常规玉米‘5422’, 说明在机械损伤的系统诱导防御过程中, 人工导入抗性(Bt基因)与自身化学防御过程之间的互作关系是协同的。     

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on tomato plant resistance against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in greenhouse conditions

The symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improves plant growth and increases its resistance to pests and diseases. Mycorrhizal fungi are among the specialized fungi associated with the rhizosphere and are completely dependent on plant organic carbon. In this research tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. was used as the host plant to evaluate the interaction effects between inoculation of tomato plant with AMF and feeding of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). In addition, plant growth parameters and growth rate of insect were assessed. The mycorrhizal treatment included a mixture of four fungal species (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, R. irregularis and Glomus iranicus). The results of the experiment showed that tomato plant roots were well colonized (66.29%) by AMF and there was a significant mutual relationship between the insects feeding on the plants and the fungi. Feeding by the insects on plants inoculated with the fungus increased percentage of colonization by AMF in plants infested with the insect as compared to the control plants. The results also indicated that growth parameters and phosphorus content of the plants inoculated with fungi significantly increased compared to the control group. Moreover, significantly lower growth rate and consumption index observed in the T. absoluta larvae were fed on the leaves of plants treated with AMF compared to leaves of plants not inoculated with AMF.     

Response of two tomato cultivars differing in salt tolerance to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi under salt stress

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and salt stress on nutrient acquisition and growth of two tomato cultivars exhibiting differences in salt tolerance were investigated. Plants were grown in a sterilized, low-P (silty clay) soil-sand mix. Salt was applied at saturation extract (EC_e) values of 1.4 (control), 4.9 (medium) and 7.1 dS m^–1 (high salt stress). Mycorrhizal colonization occurred irrespective of salt stress in both cultivars, but AMF colonization was higher under control than under saline soil conditions. The salt-tolerant cultivar Pello showed higher mycorrhizal colonization than the salt-sensitive cultivar Marriha. Shoot dry matter (DM) yield and leaf area were higher in mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants of both cultivars. Shoot DM and leaf area but not root DM were higher in Pello than Marriha. The enhancement in shoot DM due to AMF inoculation was 22% and 21% under control, 31% and 58% under medium, and 18% and 59% under high salinity for Pello and Marriha, respectively. For both cultivars, the contents of P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe were higher in mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants under control and medium saline soil conditions. The enhancement in P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe acquisition due to AMF inoculation was more pronounced in Marriha than in the Pello cultivar under saline conditions. The results suggest that Marriha benefited more from AMF colonization than Pello under saline soil conditions, despite the fact that Pello roots were highly infected with the AMF. Thus, it appears that Marriha is more dependent on AMF symbiosis than Pello. Accepted: 22 January 2001     

Characterization of salt-tolerance mechanisms in mycorrhizal (Claroideoglomus etunicatum) halophytic grass,Puccinellia distans

Responses of Puccinellia distans, a halophytic grass to low (50 mM) and high (200 mM) NaCl salinity, were studied in a sand culture experiment without or with inoculation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Claroideoglomus etunicatum isolated from its saline habitat. Plant biomass was not influenced by salinity levels, while a tendency to a higher biomass was observed in AMF plants under both control and saline conditions. Leaf photosynthesis increased by both salinity and AMF inoculation. Despite higher transpiration rate, AMF plants had higher water-use efficiency under sever saline conditions. AMF inoculation decreased proline concentration, but increased significantly leaf osmotic potential. Antioxidative enzymes responded differently to the salt and AMF treatments depending on the salt concentration and plant organ. Nonetheless, salt-induced malondialdehyde accumulation in the leaves diminished by AMF colonization. K and Ca contents were not affected by salt, while fungal colonization increased K in the roots and Ca in both leaves and roots. Our results indicated that enhancement of photosynthesis and ion homeostasis is involved in the tolerance of P. distans to both low and high salinity. AMF inoculation increased plants’ tolerance by augmentation of the above mechanisms accompanied by improvement of water relations and protection against oxidative damage in the leaves.     

Mycorrhizal fungi induced activation of tomato defense system mitigates Fusarium wilt stress

The fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is known to cause vascular wilt on tomato almost over the world. Inoculation of FOL reduced plant growth and increased wilt of tomato. The following study examined the possible role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) consortium comprising of Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum against FOL in tomato and explored in an inducing plant systemic defense. AMF inoculation reduced the wilt disease within vascular tissue and in vivo production of fusaric acid was observed which may be responsible in reduced wilting. FOL had an antagonistic effect on AMF colonization, reduced the number of spores, arbuscules and vesicles. AMF also inhibited the damage induced by Fusarium wilt through increasing chlorophyll contents along with the activity of phosphate metabolising enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatases). Moreover, tomato plants with mycorrhizal inoculation showed an increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione reductase, catalase, and etc. with an ultimate influence on the elimination of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, rise in phosphatase along with antioxidant enzymatic systems and enhanced photosynthetic performance contributed to induced resistance against FOL in tomato.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza‐mediated resistance in tomato against Cladosporium fulvum‐induced mould disease

Root colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhances plant resistance particularly against soil‐borne pathogenic fungi. In this study, mycorrhizal inoculation with Glomus mosseae (Gm) significantly alleviated tomato mould disease caused by the air‐borne fungal pathogen, Cladosporium fulvum (Cf). The disease index (DI) in local leaves (receiving pathogen inoculation) and systemic leaves (just above the local leaf without pathogen inoculation) was 36.4% and 11.7% in mycorrhizal plants, respectively, whereas DI was 59.6% and 36.4% in the corresponding leaves of AMF non‐inoculated plants, after 50 days of Gm inoculation, corresponding to 15 days after Cf inoculation by leaf infiltration. Foliar spray inoculation with Cf also revealed that AMF pre‐inoculated plants had a higher resistance against subsequent pathogen infection, where the DI was 41.3% in mycorrhizal plants vs. 64.4% in AMF non‐inoculated plants. AMF‐inoculated plants showed significantly higher fresh and dry weight than non‐inoculated plants under both control (without pathogen) and pathogen treatments. AMF‐inoculated plants exhibited significant increases in activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, along with decreases in levels of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde, compared with non‐inoculated plants after pathogen inoculation. AMF inoculation led to increases in total chlorophyll contents and net photosynthesis rate as compared with non‐inoculated plants under control and pathogen infection. Pathogen infection on AMF non‐inoculated plants led to decreases in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. However, pathogen infection did not affect these parameters in mycorrhizal plants. Taken together, these results indicate that AMF colonization may play an important role in plant resistance against air‐borne pathogen infection by maintaining redox poise and photosynthetic activity.     

Exogenous systemin has a contrasting effect on disease resistance in mycorrhizal tomato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis>) plants infected with necrotrophic or hemibiotrophic pathogens

A study was performed to determine the effect of the systemin polypeptide on the bio-protective effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in tomato plants infected with Alternaria solani, Phytophthora infestans or P. parasitica. Before infection, tomato plants were colonized with two different AMF, Glomus fasciculatum or G. clarum. In addition, a group of inoculated plants was treated with systemin, just after emergence. The exogenous application of systemin marginally suppressed the resistance against A. solani leaf blight observed in G. fasciculatum mycorrhizal plants but significantly enhanced it in plants colonized with G. clarum. Systemin induced resistance to P. parasitica in leaves of G. fasciculatum mycorrhizal plants, in which AMF colonization alone was shown to have no protective effect. Conversely, none of the treatments led to resistance to root or stem rots caused by P. infestans or P. parasitica. The above effects did not correlate with changes in the activity levels of β-1,3-glucanase (BG), chitinase (CHI), peroxidase (PRX), and phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL) in leaves of infected plants. However, they corroborated previous reports showing that colonization by AMF can lead to a systemic resistance response against A. solani. Systemic resistance to A. solani was similarly observed in non-mycorrhizal systemin-treated plants, which, in contrast, showed increased susceptibility to P. infestans and P. parasitica. The results indicated that the pattern of systemic disease resistance conferred by mycorrhizal colonization was dependent on the AMF employed and could be altered by the exogenous application of systemin, by means of a still undefined mechanism.