Unraveling the expression of differentially expressed proteins and enzymatic activity in response to Phytophthora nicotianae across different flue-cured tobacco cultivars

Abstract

Background Black shank disease caused by Phytophthora nicotianae is a serious threat to flue-cured tobacco production. Whole-plant resistance is characterized by the expression of a number of pathogenesis-related proteins, genes, and the activity of different defense-related enzymes. In this study, we investigated the activity of defense-related enzymes and expression of differentially expressed proteins through the iTRAQ technique across two flue-cured tobacco cultivars, i.e., K326 and Hongda, in response to the black shank pathogen. Results Results showed that the highest disease incidence was recorded in flue-cured tobacco cultivar Hongda compared with K326, which shows that Hongda is more susceptible to P. nicotianae than K326. A total of 4274 differentially expressed proteins were detected at 0 h and after 24 h, 72 h of post-inoculation with P. nicotianae. We found that 17 proteins induced after inoculation with P. nicotianae, including pathogenesis (5), photosynthesis (3), oxidative phosphorylation (6), tricarboxylic acid cycle (1), heat shock (1), and 14–3-3 (1) and were involved in the resistance of flue-cured tobacco against black shank disease. The expression of 5 pathogenesis-related proteins and the activities of defense-related enzymes (PPO, POD, SOD, and MDA) were significantly higher in the leaves of K326 than Hongda after inoculation with P. nicotianae. Conclusion These results provide new molecular insights into flue-cured tobacco responses to P. nicotianae. It is concluded that differences in protein expressions and defense-related enzymes play an important role in developing resistance in flue-cured tobacco cultivars against black shank disease.

Transcriptome profiling reveals the impact of various levels of biochar application on the growth of flue-cured tobacco plants

“…All possible combinations of BC treatment levels (0 g, 40 g, 60 g, 80 g, and 120 g per hole or plant) were prepared and mixed thoroughly into the soil in the planting holes before transplanting the seedlings. In addition, field management activities were conducted following the national norms of China’s tobacco industry [ 31 ]. The experiment was performed using a randomized complete block design with a total of 15 plots and 3 plots (Plot size = 6 m × 7.4 m and 65 plants per plot) as replicates per treatment.…”

Exploring the effect of different application rates of biochar on the accumulation of nutrients and growth of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

“…In contrast, at Qujing experimental site, 105 kg/ha of pure nitrogen and 600 kg/ha of tobacco-specific fertilizer (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O; 15-8-25) were applied as N: P: K (1:1:3). The integrated field management methods were adopted at both experimental sites according to the National Standards of Tobacco Industry in China (Song et al, 2022). The experiment was carried out under a randomized complete block design and repeated thrice with 15 plots (Plot size = 6 m × 7.4 m per replication; 3 plots per treatment), and each plot contained 65 tobacco plants.…”