PHOTOSYNTHETIC RESPONSE OF TWO MANGO CULTIVARS SUBMITTED TO SALT STRESS AND INFECTED WITH CERATOCYSTIS FIMBRIATA

This study aimed to investigate the alterations on the photosynthetic performance of mango plants from cultivars Tommy Atkins and Ubá when exposed to salt stresss and infected with Ceratocystis fimbriata. Plants from these two cutivars were grown in plastic pots receiving nutrient solution with 0 and 90 mM NaCl for 50 days. At 42 days after fungal inoculation, the leaf gas exchange parameters net CO2 assimilation rate [A], stomatal conductance to water vapor [gs], internal CO2 concentration [Ci], and transpiration rate [E] as well as the lesion length, the upward and the downward relative lesion length and the radial fungal colonization were evaluated. Based on the disease variables evaluated, plants from cultivar Ubá were more resistant to infection by C. fimbriata in comparison to plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins. Lower values of A were obtained for plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins submitted to salt stress and infeted with C. fimbriata resulting, therefore, in reduced values of gs and E. In general, plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins were more affected at the photosynthetic level in comparison to plants from cultivar Ubá under salt stress and infected with C. fimbriata. Under salt stress, stomatal closure reduced the Ci values especially on plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins. Plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins were more susceptible to infection by C. fimbriata even when exposed to salt stress

Resistencia do trigo à brusone usando uma toxina não selectiva e o sucesso da infecção por Pyricularia oryzae através da reprogramação metabólica do hospedeiro

Blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, has become an economically important disease in wheat in South America. One of the management strategies for minimizing the losses caused by blast includes the use of resistant cultivars. Alternatively, the use of inducers of resistance showed the potentiation to increase wheat resistance to blast. This study aimed: i) to determine the physiological and biochemical alterations in wheat plants sprayed with a non-phytotoxic concentration of α-picolinic acid (PA), which is a non-host selective toxin produced by P. oryzae and ii) to establish the degree of metabolic manipulation exerted during the infection by P. oryzae on plants from cultivars with different levels of basal resistance to blast. The spray of leaves of plants with a non-phytotoxic concentration of PA (0.1 mg mL -1 ) resulted in less blast symptoms in association with a better photosynthetic performance, an improvement on the antioxidant metabolism and reduced concentrations of H 2 O 2 , O 2 ●- and malondialdehyde. The cultivars BR-18 and EMBRAPA-16 were more resistant to blast in comparison to cultivar BRS-Guamirim. The photosynthetic performance of the infected plants was altered due to diffusional and biochemical limitations for CO 2 fixation. During the asymptomatic phase of P. oryzae infection, drastic changes in the carbohydrates metabolism and on the levels of amino acids, intermediates compounds of Krebs cycle and polyamines occurred on plants from the three cultivars suggesting a metabolic manipulation exerted by the pathogen. However, amore efficient antioxidant metabolism was able to help the wheat plants to counteract against the deleterious effects of P. oryzae infection in association with great phenylalanine ammonia lyases and polyphenoloxidases activities and high concentrations of phenolics and lignin. Based on this information, it is possible to conclude that a non- phytotoxic concentration of PA elicited the activation of host defense mechanisms that reduced blast severity. Likewise, the infection of leaves by P. oryzae induced remarkable disturbances in the primary metabolism and some of them were conserved among the cultivars regardless of their basal level of resistance to blast.A brusone, causada por Pyricularia oryzae, é considerada uma doença economicamente importante para trigo na América do Sul. Uma das estratégias de manejo para minimizar as perdas causadas por essa doença é o uso de cultivares resistentes. Alternativamente, pode-se utilizar indutores de resistência para aumentar o nível basal de resistência do trigo à brusone. O presente estudo teve como objetivos: i) determinar as alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em plantas de trigo pulverizadas com uma concentração não fitotóxica do ácido α-picolinico (AP), o qual é uma toxina não seletiva produzida por P. oryzae e ii) verificar a manipulação metabólica exercido por P. oryzae quando infectando cultivares de trigo com diferentes níveis de resistência basal à brusone. Nas folhas de trigo pulverizadas com uma concentração não fitotóxica de AP (0.1 mg mL -1 ), os sintomas da brusone desenvolveram menos em associação com um melhor desempenho fotossintético, melhoria do metabolismo antioxidante e redução nas concentrações de H 2 O 2 , O 2 ●- e MDA. As cultivares BR-18 e EMBRAPA- 16 foram mais resistentes à brusone do que a cultivar BRS-Guamirim. O desempenho fotossintético das plantas infectadas foi alterado devido a limitações de natureza difusiva e bioquímica para uma eficiente fixação do CO 2 . Durante a fase assintomática da infecção por P. oryzae, mudanças drásticas no metabolismo de carboidratos e nos níveis de aminoácidos, compostos intermediários do ciclo de Krebs e poliaminas ocorreram nas plantas das três cultivares sugerindo, assim, uma manipulação metabólica exercida por P. oryzae. No entanto, um metabolismo antioxidativo mais eficiente foi importante para neutralizar os efeitos deletérios da infecção por P. oryzae em associação com maiores atividades da fenilalanina amônia liase e polifenoloxidase e maiores concentrações de compostos fenólicos e lignina. Com base nesses resultados e possível concluir que a concentração não fitotóxica de AP foi capaz de potencializar a defesa das plantas de trigo e reduzir a severidade da brusone. A infecção do trigo por P. oryzae ocasionou distúrbios no metabolismo primário das plantas e alguns deles foram semelhantes entre as cultivares independentemente do nível basal de resistência delas

Leaf Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll A Fluorescence in Wheat Plants Supplied with Silicon and Infected with Pyricularia oryzae

A brusone, causada pelo fungo Pyricularia oryzae, tornou-se uma doença economicamente importante no trigo. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o efeito do silício (Si) sobre os parâmetros das trocas gasosas (taxa de assimilação líquida de CO 2 (A), condutância estomática ao vapor de água (g s ), a concentração interna de CO 2 (C i ) e taxa de transpiração (E)) e parâmetros de fluorescência da clorofila (eficiencia quântica máxima do fotosistema II (F v /F m e F v '/F m '), fotoquímica (q P ) e coeficiente de extinção não-fotoquimico (NPQ) e a taxa de transporte de eletrons (TTE)) em plantas de trigo crescendas em recipiente com solução nutritiva contendo 0 ou 2 mM de silício (Si) e inoculadas com P. oryzae. A concentração foliar de Si incrementou-se significativamente para plantas, contribuindo à dismunição da severidade da brusone. Para plantas inoculadas com +Si, A foi significativamente maior a 72 (14%), 96 (12%) e 120 (58%) hai do que em suas contrapartes inoculadas. A g s e E foram significativamente maiores em 60 e 42%, respectivamente, às 120 hai para as plantas inoculadas +Si em comparação com as plantas inoculadas -Si. Diferenças significativas entre as plantas inoculadas e não inoculadas ocorreu entre as 48 a 120 hai para A, g s e E e entre as 48 a 96 hai para C i . Para as plantas inoculadas +Si, diferenças significativas para F v /F m entre os tratamentos Si e +Si foram encontradas às 48, 96 e 120 dai e às 72, 96 e 120 hai para F v '/ F m '. Os valores de F v /F m diminuiram significativamente em 1, 3 e 5%, respectivamente, aos 48, 96 e 120 hai para plantas -Si, em comparação com as plantas de +Si. Reduções significativas de 10, 11 e 22%, respectivamente, às 72, 96 e 120 hai para F v '/F m ' ocorreu para as plantas -Si, em comparação com as plantas +Si. Diferenças significativas entre as plantas inoculadas e não inoculadas ocorreu às 48 a 120 hai para F v /F m e F v '/F m '. Para as plantas inoculadas, diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos -Si e +Si ocorreu apenas às 96 hai para ambos q P e NPQ e às 72 e 120 hai para TTE. Diferenças significativas entre as plantas inoculadas e não inoculadas só ocorreu em 120 hai para q P e às 96 e 120 hai para TTE. A concentração de clorofila total (a + b), e a razão de clorofil a/b diminuiu significativamente para as plantas -Si, em comparação com as plantas de +Si. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram claramente que a severidade da brusone diminuiu em plantas de trigo supridas com Si em paralelo a um melhor desempenho das trocas gasosas e menores perdas disfuncionais ao nível fotoquímico.Blast, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, has become an economically important disease in wheat. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of silicon (Si) on the photosynthetic gas exchange parameters (net CO 2 assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g s ), internal CO 2 concentration (C i ), and transpiration rate (E)) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (maximum quantum quenching (F v /F m and F v '/F m '), photochemical (q P ) and nonphotochemical (NPQ) quenching coefficients and electron transport rate (ETR)) in wheat plants grown in a nutrient solution containing 0 (-Si) or 2 mM Si (+Si) and inoculated with P. oryzae. The leaf Si concentration significantly increased for the +Si plants compared to the - Si plants and contributed to a decrease in the severity of blast symptoms. For the inoculated +Si plants, A was significantly higher at 72 (14%), 96 (12%) and 120 (58%) hours after inoculation (hai) when compared with their inoculated -Si counterparts. The g s and E were significantly higher by 60 and 42% at 120 hai for the inoculated +Si plants compared with the inoculated -Si plants, respectively. Significant differences between non-inoculated and inoculated plants were observed from 48 to 120 hai for A, g s and E and from 48 to 96 hai for C i . For the inoculated +Si plants, significant differences of F v /F m between the -Si and +Si treatments occurred at 48, 96 and 120 hai and at 72, 96 and 120 hai of F v '/F m '. The values of F v /F m significantly decreased by 1, 3 and 5% at 48, 96 and 120 hai, respectively, in the -Si plants compared with the +Si plants. Significant decreases of 10, 11 and 22% at 72, 96 and 120 hai, respectively, were observed for F v '/F m ' in the -Si plants when compared with the +Si plants. Significant differences between the non-inoculated and inoculated plants occurred from 48 to 120 hai for F v /F m and F v '/F m ', respectively. For the inoculated plants, significant differences between the -Si and +Si treatments occurred at 96 hai for both q P and NPQ and 72 and 120 hai for ETR. Significant differences between the non-inoculated and inoculated plants occurred at 120 hai for q P and at 96 and 120 hai for ETR. The total chlorophyll content (a + b) and the chlorophyll a/b ratio significantly decreased for the -Si plants compared with the +Si plants. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the severity of blast symptoms decreased in wheat plants supplied with Si. These plants also exhibited improved gas exchange performance and less dysfunctions at the photochemical level

Photosynthesis impairments and excitation energy dissipation on wheat plants supplied with silicon and infected with Pyricularia oryzae

Considering the effect of silicon (Si) in reducing the blast symptoms on wheat in a scenario where the losses in the photosynthetic capacity of the infected plants is lowered, this study investigated the ability of using the incident light, the chloroplastidic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) alterations and the possible role of carotenoids on the process of light dissipation on wheat plants non-supplied (-Si) or supplied (+Si) with Si and inoculated or not with Pyricularia oryzae. For + Si plants, blast severity was reduced compared to -Si plants. Reductions in the concentration of photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll, violanxanthin + antheraxanthin + zeaxanthin, β-carotene and lutein) were greater for inoculated -Si plants than for inoculated + Si ones. The α-carotene concentration increased for inoculated -Si and +Si plants in comparison to non-inoculated plants limiting, therefore, lutein production. Higher functional damage to the photosystem II (PSII) was noticed for inoculated -Si plants with reductions in the values of maximum quantum quenching, photochemical yield of PSII and electron transport rate, but higher values for quenching non-photochemical. This finding also contributed to reductions in the values of light saturated rate photosynthesis and light saturation point for -Si plants which was attenuated for inoculated + Si plants. Increase in dark respiration values occurred for inoculated plants than for non-inoculated ones. The Si supply to wheat plants, besides reducing blast severity, contributed to their better photosynthetic performance. Moreover, inoculated + Si plants coped with drastic losses of light energy dissipation processes (fluorescence and heat) by increasing the concentration of carotenoids which helped to maintain the structural and functional viability of the photosynthetic machinery minimizing, therefore, lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species

Photosynthetic response of two mango cultivars submitted to salt stress and infected with Ceratocystis fimbriata

This study aimed to investigate the alterations on the photosynthetic performance of mango plants from cultivars Tommy Atkins and Ubá when exposed to salt stresss and infected with Ceratocystis fimbriata. Plants from these two cutivars were grown in plastic pots receiving nutrient solution with 0 and 90 mM NaCl for 50 days. At 42 days after fungal inoculation, the leaf gas exchange parameters net CO2 assimilation rate [A], stomatal conductance to water vapor [gs], internal CO2 concentration [Ci], and transpiration rate [E] as well as the lesion length, the upward and the downward relative lesion length and the radial fungal colonization were evaluated. Based on the disease variables evaluated, plants from cultivar Ubá were more resistant to infection by C. fimbriata in comparison to plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins. Lower values of A were obtained for plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins submitted to salt stress and infeted with C. fimbriata resulting, therefore, in reduced values of gs and E. In general, plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins were more affected at the photosynthetic level in comparison to plants from cultivar Ubá under salt stress and infected with C. fimbriata. Under salt stress, stomatal closure reduced the Ci values especially on plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins. Plants from cultivar Tommy Atkins were more susceptible to infection by C. fimbriata even when exposed to salt stress.Este estudo investigou as alterações na performance fotossintética de plantas de manga das cultivares Tommy Atkins e Ubá quando expostas ao estresse salino e infectadas com Ceratocystis fimbriata. As plantas dessas duas cultivares foram crescidas em vasos plásticos contendo solução nutritiva com 0 e 90 mM de NaCl durante 50 dias. Aos 42 dias após inoculação, avaliou-se os parâmetros de trocas gasosas taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2 [A], condutância estomática [gs], concentração interna de CO2 [Ci] e taxa de transpiração [E], bem como o comprimento da lesão no caule, o comprimento relativo da lesão abaixo e acima do ponto de inoculação e a colonização radial do fungo. Baseado nos valores das variáveis relacionadas com a doença, as plantas da cultivar Ubá foram mais resistentes à infecção por C. fimbriata do que as plantas da cultivar Tommy Atkins. Menores valores de A ocorreram para as plantas da cultivar Tommy Atkins submetidas ao estresse salino e infectadas com C. fimbriata resultando, portanto, em reduzidos valores de gs e E. Em geral, plantas da cultivar Tommy Atkins foram mais afetadas a nível fotossintético em comparação com as plantas da cultivar Ubá submetidas ao estresse salino e infectadas com C. fimbriata. Sob estresse salino, o fechamento estomatal reduziu os valores de Ci especialmente nas plantas da cultivar Tommy Atkins. As plantas da cultivar Tommy Atkins foram mais suscetíveis à infecção por C. fimbriata quando expostas ao estresse salino

Picolinic acid spray stimulates the antioxidative metabolism and minimizes impairments on photosynthesis on wheat leaves infected by Pyricularia oryzae

Fungal pathogens produce toxins that are important for their pathogenesis and/or aggressiveness towards their hosts. Picolinic acid (PA), a non‐host selective toxin, causes lesions on rice leaves resembling those originated from Pyricularia oryzae infection. Considering that non‐host selective toxins can be useful for plant diseases control, this study investigated whether the foliar spray with PA on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants, in a non‐phytotoxic concentration, could increase their resistance to blast, stimulate the anti‐oxidative metabolism, and minimize alterations in photosynthesis. The PA spray at concentrations greater than 0.1 mg ml−1 caused foliar lesions, compromised the photosynthesis and was linked with greater accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion radical (O2•−). Fungal mycelial growth, conidia production and germination decreased by PA at 0.3 mg ml−1. Blast severity was significantly reduced by 59 and 23%, respectively, at 72 and 96 h after inoculation for plants sprayed with PA (0.1 mg ml−1) at 24 h before fungal inoculation compared to non‐sprayed plants. Reduction on blast symptoms was linked with increases on ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9), glutathione reductase (EC 1.8.1.7), glutathione‐S‐transferase (EC 2.5.1.18), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activities, lower H2O2 and O2•− accumulation, reduced malondialdehyde production as well as less impairments to the photosynthetic apparatus. A more efficient antioxidative metabolism that rapidly scavenges the reactive oxygen species generated during P. oryzae infection, without dramatically decreasing the photosynthetic performance, was a remarkable effect obtained with PA spray

Potassium- modulated physiological performance of mango plants infected by Ceratocystis fimbriata

Mango wilt, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, is an important disease affecting mango production. In view of the beneficial effects of potassium (K) in other profitable crops and the lack of information about the effect of macronutrients on mango wilt development, the present study aimed to evaluate how mango plants supplied with K respond physiologically when infected by C. fimbriata. Mango plants (» 3 years old) from cultivar Ubá were grown in plastic pots containing 58 mg of K·dm−3 (original K level based on the chemical analysis of the substrate) or in plastic pots with substrate amended with a solution of 0.5 M potassium chloride (KCl) to achieve the rate of 240 mg K·dm−3. Disease symptoms were more pronounced in inoculated plants grown at the lower K level. Substantial declines in stomatal conductance, in line with decreases in the internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio and the absence of detectable changes in the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, suggest that the decrease in the net carbon assimilation rate is due, at least initially, to stomatal limitations. High concentrations of K and manganese were found in the stem tissues of inoculated plants and supplied with the highest K rate, most likely due to the involvement of these tissues in the local development of defense mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that the supply of K favored the physiological performance of mango plants and their resistance against C. fimbriata infection