Biochemical aspects of bean resistance to anthracnose mediated by silicon

This study investigated the effect of silicon (Si) on resistance of bean plants (cv. ‘Peróla’) to anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, grown in a nutrient solution containing 0 (?Si) or 2 mmol Si L^?1 (+Si). The concentration of Si in leaf tissue and the incubation period increased by 55.2% and 14.3%, respectively, in +Si plants in relation to ?Si plants. The area under anthracnose progress curve and the severity estimated by the software QUANT significantly decreased by 32.9% and 27%, respectively, for +Si plants. Si did not affect the concentration of total soluble phenolics. Chitinases activity was higher in the advanced stages of infection by C. lindemuthianum for leaves of ?Si plants. β‐1,3‐Glucanase activity increased after C. lindemuthianum infection, but it was not enhanced by Si. Peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities had no apparent effect on the resistance of bean plants to anthracnose, regardless of the presence of Si. The increase in lignin concentration as well as on the phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase and lipoxygenase activities were important for the resistance of +Si plants against anthracnose. The results of this study suggest that Si may increase resistance to anthracnose in bean plants by enhancing certain biochemical mechanisms of defence as opposed to just acting as a physical barrier to penetration by C. lindemuthianum.     

Wheat Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Streak Mediated by Silicon

Leaf streak, caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. undulosa, is the major bacterial disease of wheat in Brazil and other countries worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) on disease development and the biochemical mechanisms possibly involved in resistance potentialized by this element. Plants of cv. BR‐18, susceptible to leaf streak, were grown in plastic pots containing Si‐deficient soil amended with either calcium silicate (+Si) or calcium carbonate (?Si). The content of Si increased (P ≤ 0.05) by 96.5% for the +Si when compared with ?Si treatment. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) between Si treatments for calcium content on leaf tissue, so variations in Si accounted for differences in the level of resistance to leaf streak. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) between Si treatments for incubation period, latent period, necrotic leaf area, and severity estimated by the software quant . However, chlorotic leaf area was reduced (P ≤ 0.05) by 50.2% for the +Si when compared with ?Si treatment. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) between Si treatments for the bacteria population on leaf tissue; however, the values seemed to be somewhat lower in the +Si treatment from 4 to 8 days after inoculation (d.a.i.) on leaves from plants supplied with Si. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) between Si treatments for electrolyte leakage. The concentration of total soluble phenolics and lignin‐thioglycolic acid (LTGA) derivatives did not show any apparent signs of increase during the course of infection and seemed to be slightly higher on plants not supplied with Si at the most advanced stages of bacterial infection. Chitinase activity was high at the most advanced stages of bacterial infection on leaves from +Si treatment and probably affected bacterial growth on leaf tissue. Peroxidase activity following bacterial infection was not increased by Si, but can be linked with the highest concentration of LTGA derivatives at 12 d.a.i. of plants supplied with Si. Polyphenoloxidase activity did not affect wheat resistance to leaf streak regarding of the Si treatments. The results clearly suggest that supplying Si to wheat plants can increase resistance to leaf streak possibly through an increase in tissue lignification and the participation of chitinases and peroxidases.     

Potassium phosphites in the protection of common bean plants against anthracnose and biochemical defence responses

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of potassium phosphites for the control of anthracnose and the mode of action of these products on common bean plants against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, comparing it with the standard resistance inducer acibenzolar‐S‐methyl. The protection of plants against anthracnose was evaluated in greenhouse after treatment with potassium phosphites (Phosphite A and B, 5.0 ml/L), acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (0.25 g/L), or no treatment (control). Two sprayings of the treatments were performed, respectively, at V4 stage (three trifoliate leaves) and at the R5 stage (flower buds present). The inoculation with C. lindemuthianum was performed 5 days after the first spraying. Phosphite formulations A and B reduced the severity of anthracnose by 68.7% and 55.6%, respectively, and the presence of phosphites in the leaf tissues were detected at concentrations between 1 and 3 mm by 7 days after spraying. These same concentrations of phosphites reduced the mycelial growth of C. lindemuthianum in vitro by 15.0% to 25.7%. In addition, the activities of defence enzymes and the levels of phenolic compounds and lignin were assessed. Phosphite treatments enhanced the activity of various enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, chitinase, and β‐1,3‐glucanase, and increased the lignin and a small increase in the levels of soluble phenolics. This study provides evidence that phosphite treatments control anthracnose by acting directly on C. lindemuthianum and by inducing the production of defence responses.     

Advances in understanding the mechanism of resistance to anthracnose and induced defence response in tea plants

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is susceptible to anthracnose disease that causes considerable crop loss and affects the yield and quality of tea. Multiple Colletotrichum spp. are the causative agents of this disease, which spreads quickly in warm and humid climates. During plant–pathogen interactions, resistant cultivars defend themselves against the hemibiotrophic pathogen by activating defence signalling pathways, whereas the pathogen suppresses plant defences in susceptible varieties. Various fungicides have been used to control this disease on susceptible plants, but these fungicide residues are dangerous to human health and cause fungicide resistance in pathogens. The problem-solving approaches to date are the development of resistant cultivars and ecofriendly biocontrol strategies to achieve sustainable tea cultivation and production. Understanding the infection stages of Colletotrichum, tea plant resistance mechanisms, and induced plant defence against Colletotrichum is essential to support sustainable disease management practices in the field. This review therefore summarizes the current knowledge of the identified causative agent of tea plant anthracnose, the infection strategies and pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides, anthracnose disease resistance mechanisms, and the caffeine-induced defence response against Colletotrichum infection. The information reported in this review will advance our understanding of host–pathogen interactions and eventually help us to develop new disease control strategies.     

The wheat Lr34 multipathogen resistance gene confers resistance to anthracnose and rust in sorghum

The ability of the wheat Lr34 multipathogen resistance gene (Lr34res) to function across a wide taxonomic boundary was investigated in transgenic Sorghum bicolor. Increased resistance to sorghum rust and anthracnose disease symptoms following infection with the biotrophic pathogen Puccinia purpurea and the hemibiotroph Colletotrichum sublineolum, respectively, occurred in transgenic plants expressing the Lr34res ABC transporter. Transgenic sorghum lines that highly expressed the wheat Lr34res gene exhibited immunity to sorghum rust compared to the low‐expressing single copy Lr34res genotype that conferred partial resistance. Pathogen‐induced pigmentation mediated by flavonoid phytoalexins was evident on transgenic sorghum leaves following P. purpurea infection within 24–72 h, which paralleled Lr34res gene expression. Elevated expression of flavone synthase II, flavanone 4‐reductase and dihydroflavonol reductase genes which control the biosynthesis of flavonoid phytoalexins characterized the highly expressing Lr34res transgenic lines 24‐h post‐inoculation with P. purpurea. Metabolite analysis of mesocotyls infected with C. sublineolum showed increased levels of 3‐deoxyanthocyanidin metabolites were associated with Lr34res expression, concomitant with reduced symptoms of anthracnose.     

Defense Responses in Rice Induced by Silicon Amendment against Infestation by the Leaf Folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis

Silicon (Si) amendment to plants can confer enhanced resistance to herbivores. In the present study, the physiological and cytological mechanisms underlying the enhanced resistance of plants with Si addition were investigated for one of the most destructive rice pests in Asian countries, the rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée). Activities of defense-related enzymes, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and polyphenol oxidase, and concentrations of malondialdehyde and soluble protein in leaves were measured in rice plants with or without leaf folder infestation and with or without Si amendment at 0.32 g Si/kg soil. Silicon amendment significantly reduced leaf folder larval survival. Silicon addition alone did not change activities of defense-related enzymes and malondialdehyde concentration in rice leaves. With leaf folder infestation, activities of the defense-related enzymes increased and malondialdehyde concentration decreased in plants amended with Si. Soluble protein content increased with Si addition when the plants were not infested, but was reduced more in the infested plants with Si amendment than in those without Si addition. Regardless of leaf folder infestation, Si amendment significantly increased leaf Si content through increases in the number and width of silica cells. Our results show that Si addition enhances rice resistance to the leaf folder through priming the feeding stress defense system, reduction in soluble protein content and cell silicification of rice leaves.     

RAPD-based SCAR marker SCA 12 linked to recessive gene conferring resistance to anthracnose in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum graminicola, infects all aerial parts of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, plants and causes loss of as much as 70%. F₁ and F₂ plants inoculated with local isolates of C. graminicola indicated that resistance to anthracnose in sorghum accession G 73 segregated as a recessive trait in a cross with susceptible cultivar HC 136. To facilitate the use of marker-assisted selection in sorghum breeding programs, a PCR-based specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker was developed. A total of 29 resistant and 20 susceptible recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a HC 136 × G 73 cross was used for bulked segregant analysis to identify a RAPD marker closely linked to a gene for resistance to anthracnose. The polymorphism between the parents HC 136 and G 73 was evaluated using 84 random sequence decamer primers. Among these, only 24 primers generated polymorphism. On bulked segregant analysis, primer OPA 12 amplified a unique band of 383 bp only in the resistant parent G 73 and resistant bulk. Segregation analysis of individual RILs showed the marker OPA 12₃₈₃ was 6.03 cM from the locus governing resistance to anthracnose. The marker OPA 12₃₈₃ was cloned and sequenced. Based on the sequence of cloned RAPD product, a pair of SCAR markers SCA 12-1 and SCA 12-2 was designed using the MacVector program, which specifically amplified this RAPD fragment in resistant parent G 73, resistant bulk and respective RILs. Therefore, it was confirmed that SCAR marker SCA 12 is at the same locus as RAPD marker OPA 12₃₈₃ and hence, is linked to the gene for resistance to anthracnose.     

Wheat Resistance to Spot Blotch Potentiated by Silicon

Spot blotch, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most important diseases on wheat. The effects of silicon (Si) on this wheat disease were studied. Plants of wheat cultivars BR‐18 and BRS‐208 were grown in plastic pots containing Si‐deficient soil amended with either calcium silicate (+Si) or calcium carbonate (?Si). The content of Si in leaf tissue was significantly increased by 90.5% for the +Si treatment. There was no significant difference between Si treatments for calcium content, so variations in Si accounted for differences in the level of resistance to spot blotch. The incubation period was significantly increased by 40% for the +Si treatment. The area under spot blotch progress curve, number of lesions per cm² of leaf area, and real disease severity significantly decreased by 62, 36 and 43.5% in +Si treatment. There was no significant effect of Si on lesion size. The role played by total soluble phenolics in the increased resistance to spot blotch of plants from both cultivars supplied with Si was not clear. Plants from cultivar BR‐18 supplied with Si showed the highest values for concentration of lignin‐thioglycolic acid derivatives during the most advanced stages of fungus infection. Chitinase activity was high at the most advanced stages of fungus infection on leaves from both cultivars supplied with Si and may have had an effect on fungus growth based on the reduction of the components of resistance evaluated. Peroxidase activity was found to be high only at 96 h after inoculation of both cultivars supplied with Si. Polyphenoloxidase activity had no apparent effect on resistance regardless of Si treatments. Results revealed that supplying Si to wheat plants can increase resistance against spot blotch.     

Silicon‐mediated changes in polyamines participate in silicon‐induced salt tolerance in Sorghum bicolor L.

Silicon (Si) is generally considered a beneficial element for the growth of higher plants, especially under stress conditions, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Si improves salt tolerance through mediating important metabolism processes rather than acting as a mere mechanical barrier. Seedlings of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) growing in hydroponic culture were treated with NaCl (100 mm ) combined with or without Si (0.83 mm ). The result showed that supplemental Si enhanced sorghum salt tolerance by decreasing Na⁺ accumulation. Simultaneously, polyamine (PA) levels were increased and ethylene precursor (1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid: ACC) concentrations were decreased. Several key PA synthesis genes were up‐regulated by Si under salt stress. To further confirm the role of PA in Si‐mediated salt tolerance, seedlings were exposed to spermidine (Spd) or a PA synthesis inhibitor (dicyclohexylammonium sulphate, DCHA) combined with salt and Si. Exogenous Spd showed similar effects as Si under salt stress whereas exogenous DCHA eliminated Si‐enhanced salt tolerance and the beneficial effect of Si in decreasing Na⁺ accumulation. These results indicate that PAs and ACC are involved in Si‐induced salt tolerance in sorghum and provide evidence that Si plays an active role in mediating salt tolerance.     

Pathogen-induced systemic resistance in Ipomoea purpurea

Infection of Ipomoea purpurea by anthracnose, the disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum dematium, increases resistance to subsequent infections on previously uninfected leaves. Fungal isolates varied in their levels of virulence but not in the extent to which they induced resistance. Induced resistance was equally effective against all isolates tested. Plant lines varied in the baseline level of resistance expressed in newly emerging leaves. In some lines, new leaves were poorly defended but developed resistance with maturity, even in the absence of infection. In those lines, induced resistance could not prevent anthracnose damage to young leaves, and this damage reduced plant fitness by increasing juvenile mortality and decreasing juvenile growth rates. In contrast, anthracnose damage to well-defended older leaves had no effect on juvenile growth rates. In at least one line, new leaves were well-defended, regardless of disease experience. This line did not experience reduced growth from anthracnose infection of either young or mature leaves, suggesting that lines with higher baseline levels of resistance are more fit than those dependent upon induced resistance. These results suggest that induced resistance cannot substitute for baseline local resistance in this I. purpurea population.     

Assessment of sorghum genetic resources of Ethiopia for anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum Henn.) resistance and agronomic traits

Sorghum anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum Henn. is one of the key diseases limiting sorghum production and productivity. Development of anthracnose‐resistant sorghum genotypes possessing yield‐promoting agronomic traits is an important breeding goal in sorghum improvement programs. The objective of this study was to determine the responses of diverse sorghum genetic resources for anthracnose resistance and agronomic traits to identify desirable lines for breeding. A total of 366 sorghum collections and three standard checks were field evaluated during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. Lines were artificially inoculated with a virulent pure isolate of the pathogen. Anthracnose disease severity was assessed to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Agronomic traits such as panicle length (PL), panicle width (PW), head weight (HW) and thousand grain weight (TGW) were measured. Lines showed highly significant differences (p < .001) for anthracnose severity, AUDPC and agronomic traits. Among the collections 32 lines developed levels of disease severity between 15% and 30% in both seasons. The following sorghum landraces were selected: 71708, 210903, 74222, 73955, 74685, 74670, 74656, 74183, 234112, 69412, 226057, 214852, 71420, 71484, 200126, 71557, 75120, 71547, 220014, 228179, 16212, 16173, 16133, 69088, 238388, 16168 and 71570. These landraces had a relatively low anthracnose severity possessing farmer‐preferred agronomic traits. The selected genotypes are useful genetic resources to develop anthracnose‐resistant sorghum cultivars.     

水稻施用硅肥对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫取食和成虫产卵选择性的影响

采用感虫水稻品种TN1,设置3种施硅水平,即高硅(0.32 g Si/kg土壤)、低硅(0.16 g Si/kg土壤)和不施硅对照(0 g Si/kg土壤),研究了施用硅肥对稻纵卷叶螟产卵和取食选择性的影响。结果表明:稻纵卷叶螟幼虫对硅处理水稻叶片的取食选择性和成虫在硅处理水稻上的着卵量、着卵率均显著低于对照水稻。高硅处理水稻叶片中的硅含量、可溶性糖含量和碳氮比高于对照,而氮含量低于对照;低硅处理水稻叶片的碳氮比高于对照、氮含量低于对照。同时,硅处理显著降低水稻的卷叶株率和卷叶率。这些结果表明,施硅能增强稻纵卷叶螟对水稻的不选择性,从而增强水稻对稻纵卷叶螟的抗性。     

Signalling requirements for Erwinia amylovora‐induced disease resistance,callose deposition and cell growth in the non‐host Arabidopsis thaliana

Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of the fire blight disease in some plants of the Rosaceae family. The non‐host plant Arabidopsis serves as a powerful system for the dissection of mechanisms of resistance to E. amylovora. Although not yet known to mount gene‐for‐gene resistance to E. amylovora, we found that Arabidopsis activated strong defence signalling mediated by salicylic acid (SA), with kinetics and amplitude similar to that induced by the recognition of the bacterial effector avrRpm1 by the resistance protein RPM1. Genetic analysis further revealed that SA signalling, but not signalling mediated by ethylene (ET) and jasmonic acid (JA), is required for E. amylovora resistance. Erwinia amylovora induces massive callose deposition on infected leaves, which is independent of SA, ET and JA signalling and is necessary for E. amylovora resistance in Arabidopsis. We also observed tumour‐like growths on E. amylovora‐infected Arabidopsis leaves, which contain enlarged mesophyll cells with increased DNA content and are probably a result of endoreplication. The formation of such growths is largely independent of SA signalling and some E. amylovora effectors. Together, our data reveal signalling requirements for E. amylovora‐induced disease resistance, callose deposition and cell fate change in the non‐host plant Arabidopsis. Knowledge from this study could facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms of host defence against E. amylovora and eventually improve host resistance to the pathogen.     

硅对菜心炭疽病发生、菜薹形成及硅吸收沉积的影响

采用不同浓度硅(Si)对菜心进行处理, 研究了Si对菜心炭疽病发生、菜薹形成及Si吸收沉积的影响.结果表明：Si对菜心炭疽病的发生有明显的调控作用,并存在基因型差异;感病品种2.5 mmol·L^-1和抗病品种0.5 mmol·L^-1Si处理对炭疽病菌的抗性最强,病情指数最低,菜薹产量最高.Si对菜心品质也有明显影响,不同浓度Si处理可促进感病品种的叶绿素、粗纤维、Vc的合成,并诱导可溶性糖的生成,且叶绿素、粗纤维含量随Si处理浓度的提高而增加;抗病品种的叶绿素含量随Si处理浓度的增加明显增加,而Vc含量下降,Si对抗病品种的粗纤维、可溶性糖含量影响不显著;Si对两个品种菜薹的粗蛋白和可溶性蛋白质含量影响均不显著.施Si明显提高了菜心叶片Si的积累,且叶片的Si含量随着Si处理浓度的增加而显著提高;叶片组织沉积的Si粒大小不一,Si在叶片表皮组织呈不均匀分布.表明Si在菜心叶片中的积累可提高植株的抗病能力,但其积累量与植株的抗病能力不呈直线相关关系.     

Silicon affects seed development and leaf macrohair formation in Brachypodium distachyon

Silicon (Si) has many beneficial effects in plants, especially for the survival from biotic and abiotic stresses. However, Si may negatively affect the quality of lignocellulosic biomass for bioenergy purposes. Despite many studies, the regulation of Si distribution and deposition in plants remains to be fully understood. Here, we have identified the Brachypodium distachyon mutant low‐silicon 1 (Bdlsi1‐1), with impaired channeling function of the Si influx transporter BdLSI1, resulting in a substantial reduction of Si in shoots. Bioimaging by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry showed that the wild‐type plants deposited Si mainly in the bracts, awns and leaf macrohairs. The Bdlsi1‐1 mutants showed substantial (>90%) reduction of Si in the mature shoots. The Bdlsi1‐1 leaves had fewer, shorter macrohairs, but the overall pattern of Si distribution in bracts and leaf tissues was similar to that in the wild‐type. The Bdlsi1‐1 plants supplied with Si had significantly lower seed weights, compared to the wild‐type. In low‐Si media, the seed weight of wild‐type plants was similar to that of Bdlsi1‐1 mutants supplied with Si, while the Bdlsi1‐1 seed weight decreased further. We conclude that Si deficiency results in widespread alterations in leaf surface morphology and seed formation in Brachypodium, showing the importance of Si for successful development in grasses.     

Silicon application induces changes C:N:P stoichiometry and enhances stoichiometric homeostasis of sorghum and sunflower plants under salt stress

Beneficial effects of silicon (Si) on growth have been observed in some plant species, reportedly due to stoichiometric changes of C, N, and P. However, little is known about the effects on the stoichiometric relationships between C, N, and P when silicon is supplied via different modes in sorghum and sunflower plants under salt stress conditions. Therefore, the current study was performed to investigate the impact of differing modes of Si supply on shoot biomass production and C:N:P stoichiometry in sorghum and sunflower plants under salt stress. Two experiments were performed in a glass greenhouse using the strong Si-accumulator plant sorghum, as well as the intermediate type Si-accumulator sunflower, both of which were grown in pots filled with washed sand. Plant species were cultivated for 30 days in the absence or presence of salt stress (0 or 100 mM) and supplemented with one of four Si treatments: control plants (without Si), 28.6 mmol Si L⁻¹ via foliar application, 2.0 mmol Si L⁻¹ via nutrient solution, and combined application of foliar and nutrient solution, each group with five replications. The results revealed that supplied Si modified the C, N, and P concentrations, thereby enhancing the C:N:P stoichiometry and shoot dry matter of sorghum and sunflower plants under salt stress. Both application of Si via nutrient solution, as well as combined application via foliar and nutrient solution, increased the C:N ratio in both plant species under salt stress, but in sorghum plants decreased the C:P and N:P ratios and increased the shoot biomass production by 39%, while in sunflower plants increased the C:P and N:P ratios and increased the shoot biomass production by 24%. Our findings suggest that salt stress alleviation by Si impacts C:N:P stoichiometric relationships in a variable manner depending on the ability of the species to accumulate Si, as well as the route of Si administration.     

Silicon‐Induced Changes in the Antioxidant System Reduce Soybean Resistance to Frogeye Leaf Spot

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora sojina, is one of the most important soybean diseases and can cause great yield losses. Several studies have demonstrated that silicon (Si) enhances the plant antioxidant system, especially when they are subjected to stresses. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of Si on soybean resistance to FLS, on the antioxidant system, on the concentration of reactive oxygen species and on cellular damage during the infection process of C. sojina. Plants from cultivars Bossier and Conquista, susceptible and resistant to FLS, respectively, were supplied with either 0 (?Si) or 2 mm (+Si) and non‐inoculated or inoculated with C. sojina. FLS severity was greater for Bossier than for Conquista, regardless of the Si supply, and it was increased by Si for both cultivars. The activities of the most antioxidant enzymes were lower in the +Si plants than in the ?Si plants when they were not inoculated. Inoculated plants usually showed an increased enzyme activities and higher concentrations of ascorbate and reduced glutathione than did the non‐inoculated plants, regardless of Si supply. At advanced stages of fungal infection, the +Si‐inoculated plants from Bossier had higher activity of most antioxidant enzymes and higher concentrations of superoxide and malondialdehyde compared to the non‐inoculated plants as a result of an increased oxidative stress. The results from this study provide the first evidence that Si reduces the basal activity of antioxidant enzymes in soybean leaves leading to an increase in host susceptibility to FLS.