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Characterisation and Use of Bacterial Quorum Sensing Molecules for the Development of Environmentally Sound Plant Production Measures
Project
Project code: 2811NA033
Contract period: 01.11.2012
- 31.12.2015
Budget: 233,431 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
The activation and strengthening of the plant's immune system is a promising alternative in crop protection. The concept includes a sensitization (priming) of the crops against pathogens, which ensures a high crop yield under high pressure from pathogens. Bacterial quorum sensing molecules have the ability to improve plant growth and development and therefore provide a possible complement to the use of plant protection measures. The aim of this project was to analyze immune response and physiological changes in important crops such as barley, wheat, tomatoes and alfalfa after sensitization with QS molecules. In this project we assessed the activity of long-chain acyl-homoserine lactones, such as the oxo-C14-HSL, along with non-pathogenic oxo-C14-HSL-producing rhizobacteria such as Sinorhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium radiobacter F4 (RrF4, once isolated from the beneficial fungus Piriformospora indica). We were able to demonstrate oxo-C14-HSL-induced resistance of Arabidopsis plants and that this induction was mediated by salicylic acid / oxylipin-dependent systemic signaling. In addition, an oxo-C14-HSL treatment on barley and wheat caused an increased production of reactive oxygen species and a transcriptional regulation of defense-related genes. The oxo-C14-HSL-induced sensitization effect resulted in a strengthening the plant cell wall and a defensive reaction in the stomata, thereby penetration of bacterial and fungal pathogens and their proliferation in the plant are strongly inhibited. In addition, it was surprisingly found that oxo-C14-HSL also prevents the propagation of the human pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium in Arabidopsis. This effect was pronounced in direct treatments with oxo-C14-HSL, while treatment with oxo-C14-HSL-producing S. meliloti did not exhibit good activity against Salmonella. Our results illustrate, that bacterial quorum sensing molecules have a positive effect on plants. The acyl-homoserine lactone-induced resistance (AIR) described herein is a new model for the plant 'sensitization' that protects plants by faster and stronger defensive reactions to future stress and thus paves a promising way in modern plant protection.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Crop Protection
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
