Primary metabolism changes triggered in soybean leaves by Fusarium tucumaniae infection. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosati, Romina G.; Lario, Luciana D.; Hourcade, Mónica E.; Cervigni, Gerardo D.L.; Luque, Alicia G.; Scandiani, María M.; Spampinato, Claudia P.
• Is Part Of: Plant science. Volume 274(2018)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: GC–MS -- Glycine max -- Metabolomics -- Pathogen infection -- Plant susceptibility -- Sudden death syndrome; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; 580
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.05.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-9452

Abstract

Highlights: SDS of soybean is mainly caused in Argentina by Fusarium tucumaniae . Two cultivars of varying levels of resistance responded differently to infection. The inoculated susceptible soybean showed increased levels of several amino acids as early as 10 dpi. Other changes involved photosynthetic and peroxidase activities. Abstract: Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean can be caused by at least four distinct Fusarium species, with F. tucumaniae being the main causal agent in Argentina. The fungus is a soil-borne pathogen that is largely confined to the roots, but damage also reaches aerial part of the plant and interveinal chlorosis and necrosis, followed by premature defoliation can be observed. In this study, two genetically diverse soybean cultivars, one susceptible (NA 4613) and one partially resistant (DM 4670) to SDS infection, were inoculated with F. tucumaniae or kept uninoculated. Leaf samples at 7, 10, 14 and 25 days post-inoculation (dpi) were chosen for analysis. With the aim of detecting early markers that could potentially discriminate the cultivar response to SDS, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses and biochemical studies were performed. Metabolic analyses show higher levels of several amino acids in the inoculated than in the uninoculated susceptible cultivar starting at 10 dpi. Biochemical studies indicate that pigment contents and Rubisco level were reduced while class III peroxidase activity was increased in the inoculated susceptible plant at 10 dpi. Taken together, our results indicate that the pathogen induced an accumulation of amino acids, a decrease of the photosynthetic activity, and an increase of plant-specific peroxidase activity in the susceptible cultivar before differences of visible foliar symptoms between genotypes could be observed, thus suggesting that metabolic and biochemical approaches may contribute to a rapid characterization of the cultivar response to SDS.