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Salicylic Acid Protects Potato Plants-from Phytoplasma-associated Stress and Improves Tuber Photosynthate Assimilation

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Abstract

During a pathogen attack, cells triggers the overproduction of reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress and physiological damage. Plants develop strategies using these reactive molecules for protection against pathogen attack. Phytoplasma are bacteria lacking cell walls that inhabit plant phloem and reduce yield, tuber quality, and commercial harvest value. Sprayed salicylic acid (SA) activated plant defense response against phytoplasma attack and reduced infection symptoms, favored photosynthate translocation, and improved tuber quality. Low levels of exogenous SA (0.001 mM) induced higher biological activity. Damage reduction was associated with high hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid contents together with reduction of peroxidase activity, suggesting an important SA role regulating these molecules counteracting pathogen effects.

Resumen

Durante un ataque patogénico las células presentan una sobreproducción de especies reactivas de oxígeno. Esto provoca estrés oxidativo y daño fisiológico. Las plantas aprovechan éstas moléculas reactivas para desarrollar estrategias que conducen a la autoprotección contra el patógeno atacante. Los fitoplasmas son bacterias sin pared celular que habitan el floema de las plantas y disminuyen el rendimiento, la calidad de los tubérculos y el valor comercial de las cosechas, entre otros daños. El ácido salicílico (SA) asperjado activó la respuesta de defensa de la planta contra el ataque del fitoplasma, redujo los síntomas de la infección, favoreció la translocación de fotosintetizados e incrementó la calidad de los tubérculos. Bajos niveles de SA exógeno (0.001 mM) mostraron mayor actividad biológica. La reducción de daño estuvo asociada a altos contenidos de peróxido de hidrógeno y ácido ascórbico acompañada de reducción de la actividad peroxidasa, lo que sugiere un papel importante del SA en la regulación de éstas moléculas contrarrestando los efectos dañinos del patógeno.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the CONACYT grant SEP/CONACYT/2003/CO2/45016. The first author thanks CONACYT and COMECYT for the graduate studies scholarship. These experiments comply with the current laws of Mexico where they were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Fisiología-Biotecnología, Programa Nacional de Papa, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Conjunto SEDAGRO, Metepec, Estado de México, C.P. 52140, México

    Silvia Sánchez-Rojo & Humberto A. López-Delgado

  2. Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km. 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, C.P.56230, Texcoco, Estado de México, México

    Silvia Sánchez-Rojo & Hilda Araceli Zavaleta-Mancera

  3. Centro Universitario Tenancingo. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Carr. Tenancingo-Villa Guerrero, Km 1.5, Edo. de México, C.P. 52400, México

    Martha E. Mora-Herrera

  4. C. E. General Terán INIFAP, Km 31 Carr. Monte Morelos-China, C.P. 27400, General Teran, N.L., México

    Humberto I. Almeyda-León

  5. Edafología (IRENAT), Colegio de Postgraduados, Km. 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, C.P.56230, Texcoco, Estado de México, México

    David Espinosa-Victoria

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  1. Silvia Sánchez-Rojo
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Correspondence to Humberto A. López-Delgado.

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Sánchez-Rojo, S., López-Delgado, H.A., Mora-Herrera, M.E. et al. Salicylic Acid Protects Potato Plants-from Phytoplasma-associated Stress and Improves Tuber Photosynthate Assimilation. Am. J. Pot Res 88, 175–183 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-010-9175-y

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