Exogenous melatonin improves Malus resistance to Marssonina apple blotch.
We examined whether exogenously applied melatonin could improve resistance to Marssonina apple blotch (Diplocarpon mali) by apple [Malus prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh. cv. Donghongguo]. This serious disease leads to premature defoliation in the main regions of apple production. When plants were pretreated with melatonin, resistance was increased in the leaves. We investigated the potential roles for melatonin in modulating levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as well the activities of antioxidant enzymes and pathogenesis-related proteins during these plant-pathogen interactions. Pretreatment enabled plants to maintain intracellular H2O2 concentrations at steady-state levels and enhance the activities of plant defence-related enzymes, possibly improving disease resistance. Because melatonin is safe and beneficial to animals and humans, exogenous pretreatment might represent a promising cultivation strategy to protect plants against this pathogen infection.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas/College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Lihua
L
Yin
Ping
P
Wang
Mingjun
M
Li
Xiwang
X
Ke
Cuiying
C
Li
Dong
D
Liang
Shan
S
Wu
Xinli
X
Ma
Chao
C
Li
Yangjun
Y
Zou
Fengwang
F
Ma
D001203:Ascomycota / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D027845:Malus / Q000382:microbiology*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000187:drug effects*
D017931:DNA Primers; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008550:Melatonin
Malus; Marssonina apple blotch; ROS; disease resistant; melatonin; pathogenesis‐related proteins