A Microbial Fermentation Mixture Primes for Resistance Against Powdery Mildew in Wheat

Abstract

Since many fungal pathogens develop resistance to fungicides, novel and low-cost alternative methods to improve plant health and fitness need to be developed. An approach to improve productivity in crops is to stimulate the plant’s own defence mechanisms via priming. Therefore, we investigated if a fermentation-based elicitor could prime plant defences against powdery mildew in wheat by inducing the expression of endogenous defence-related genes. Wheat seedlings were spray-treated with a fermentation-based elicitor 8 days prior to inoculation with powdery mildew. Disease assays showed a significantly reduced number of powdery mildew pustules were formed on wheat treated with the mixed elicitor. In vitro sensitivity assays tested the ability of powdery mildew conidia to germinate on agar amended with the fermentation-based product and concluded that fungal germination and differentiation were also inhibited. Tissue samples were taken at time points pertaining to different developmental stages of powdery mildew infection. Significantly higher expression of PR genes (PR1, PR4, PR5, and PR9) was observed in the microbial fermentation mixture-treated plants compared with untreated plants. These genes are often associated with the elicitation of plant defence responses to specific biotrophic pathogens, such as powdery mildew, suggesting an elicitor-mediated response in the wheat plants tested. The product components were assessed, and the components were found to act synergistically in the microbial fermentation mixture. Therefore, this fermentation-based elicitor provides an effective method for powdery mildew control.

Insight into the Role of Epigenetic Processes in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Response in Wheat and Barley

“…In addition to these abiotic stresses, biotic stress also seriously damage grain yield and quality. It has been conservatively estimated that fungal pathogens alone are responsible for 15% to 20% yield losses per annum [14,15]. Among them, rust, the blotches and head blight/scab are the most devastating diseases leading to great yield loss in bread wheat [15].…”

Genome-wide identification of the oatMLOfamily and identification of a candidateAsMLOassociated with powdery mildew susceptibility

“…For inoculations, oat seedling plants were placed at the bottom of a settling tower. Up to three Bga- infected oat plants were used as a source of inoculum by gently shaking them over the settling tower, as outlined in Twamley, et al , (2019). Plants in the tower were left for 10 minutes to allow the spores to settle.…”

Oligosaccharins as Elicitors of Defense Responses in Wheat

“…For instance, agar supplemented with MFP inhibited the germination and differentiation of powdery mildew. Therefore, an MFP elicitor may provide an effective method to control fungi development in wheat [76].…”