Biochemical compounds and stress markers in lettuce upon exposure to pathogenic Botrytis cinerea and fungicides inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation

Abstract

Main conclusion Botrytis cinerea and fungicides interacted and influenced selected biochemical compounds. DPPH and glutathione are the first line of defence against biotic/abiotic stress. Plant metabolites are correlated with fungicides level during dissipation. Abstract Botrytis cinerea is an etiological agent of gray mould in leafy vegetables and is combated by fungicides. Fluazinam and azoxystrobin are commonly used fungicides, which inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in fungi. In this study, lettuce was (i) inoculated with B. cinerea; (ii) sprayed with azoxystrobin or fluazinam; (iii) inoculated with B. cinerea and sprayed with fungicides. This investigation confirmed that B. cinerea and fungicides affected lettuce’s biochemistry and stress status. B. cinerea influenced the behaviour of fungicides reflected by shortened dissipation of azoxystrobin compared to non-inoculated plants, while prolonged degradation of fluazinam. Stress caused by B. cinerea combined with fungicides reduced level of chlorophylls (53.46%) and carotenoids (75.42%), whereas increased phenolic compounds (81%), ascorbate concentrations (32.4%), and catalase activity (116.1%). Abiotic stress caused by fungicides contributed most to the induction of carotenoids (107.68 µg g−1 on dissipation day 3−1). Diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and glutathione concentration peaked from the first hour of fungicides dissipation. For the first time correlation between the status of plant metabolites and fungicides during their dissipation was observed. These results indicate that non-enzymatic antioxidants could be the first-line compounds against stress factors, whereas ascorbate and antioxidant enzymes tend to mitigate stress only secondarily. The findings of this study help better understand plant biochemistry under biotic/abiotic stress conditions.

Modulation of defense genes and phenolic compounds in wild blueberry in response to Botrytis cinerea under field conditions

“…Furthermore, a phytotoxic sesquiterpene produced by B. cinerea , was found to induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and phenolic compounds in Arabidopsis thaliana [ 47 ]. Finally, Iwaniuk and Lozowicka found that stress caused by B. cinerea increased phenolic compounds in leafy vegetables [ 48 ].…”

“…Although differences were observed, almost all the phenotypes were not different from each other. It is however worth noting that short Vm had a higher content of neochlorogenic acid in inoculated plants at 48 and 96 hpi (Table 3). The concentration of m-coumaric acid was higher in all inoculated Va phenotypes at different times of assessment except Va f. nigrum at 48 hpi.…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Improves Ex Vitro Acclimatization of Sugarcane Plantlets (Saccharum spp.) under Drought Stress Conditions

“…These effects result in oxidative damage, leading to the cell death of plant tissues [ 6 , 7 ]. Plants tolerate drought stress through different physiologic, biochemical, and genetic mechanisms, such as changes in stomatal and photosynthesis regulation, expression of chaperon, channel, and transporter proteins [ 8 , 9 ], osmotic adjustment through the synthesis of compatible osmolytes [ 10 ], and increased antioxidant capacity due to higher activity of their antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalases, peroxidases or dismutases) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., ascorbate, glutathione or carotenoid), which decreases ROS accumulation [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Agroecological Management of the Grey Mould Fungus Botrytis cinerea by Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria

“…To control plant diseases caused by B. cinerea , several families of synthetic botrycides are used, such as dichlofluanid and thiram, which are older and have a broad spectrum of action, as well as newer and more specific agents, such as fluazinam, boscalid, carbendazim, diethofencarb, dicloran, iprodione, procymidone, and vinclozolin, among others. These botrycides can be classified according to their mode of action into five categories as follows: (1) fungicides affecting fungal respiration; (2) anti-microtubule toxicants; (3) compounds affecting osmoregulation; (4) fungicides whose toxicity is reversed by amino acids; and (5) sterol biosynthesis inhibitors [ 9 , 12 , 13 ]. However, even when there is a wide variety of botrycides with different modes of action, the presence of resistant B. cinerea strains may occur, as this fungus may generate and accumulate mutations in its genome that allow its survival in the environment, resulting in relevant damages to crops around the world [ 14 ].…”