Articles
Defence response modulation by nano-encapsulated essential oils inhibiting grey mould of plums
Article number
1464_22
Pages
165 – 170
Language
English
Abstract
Necrotrophic fungi, such as Botrytis cinerea are challenged by plant host defence responses activated through jasmonic acid, ethylene, and salicylic acid signaling.
Essential oils can either directly affect fungal cells, acting as natural fungicides, or indirectly influence plant’s defence mechanism by modulating the expression of defence response genes.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of orange and thyme oil nanoparticles, generated through a nanoprecipitation method, on gene expression of plums artificially inoculated with B. cinerea. Gene expression was analysed in plum tissue (both wounded and non-wounded) after 3, 6 and 24 h or in plums inoculated with B. cinerea followed by thyme oil or orange oil loaded nanoparticle application and sampled at various intervals post inoculation (6, 24 and 48 h). A reverse transcriptase qPCR technique was used to analyse the expression of pathogenesis related genes in wounded, non-wounded, treated, and untreated (control) plums.
The results showed that PR genes showed early and late response to wounding, and downregulation of PR gene expression in plums after orange oil nano-particle exposure.
Application of thyme oil, on the other hand, resulted in upregulation of PR gene expression.
This study confirmed the effect of thyme oil on plant host defence responses and demonstrated the indirect mode of action of orange and thyme oil in harvested plums.
Essential oils can either directly affect fungal cells, acting as natural fungicides, or indirectly influence plant’s defence mechanism by modulating the expression of defence response genes.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of orange and thyme oil nanoparticles, generated through a nanoprecipitation method, on gene expression of plums artificially inoculated with B. cinerea. Gene expression was analysed in plum tissue (both wounded and non-wounded) after 3, 6 and 24 h or in plums inoculated with B. cinerea followed by thyme oil or orange oil loaded nanoparticle application and sampled at various intervals post inoculation (6, 24 and 48 h). A reverse transcriptase qPCR technique was used to analyse the expression of pathogenesis related genes in wounded, non-wounded, treated, and untreated (control) plums.
The results showed that PR genes showed early and late response to wounding, and downregulation of PR gene expression in plums after orange oil nano-particle exposure.
Application of thyme oil, on the other hand, resulted in upregulation of PR gene expression.
This study confirmed the effect of thyme oil on plant host defence responses and demonstrated the indirect mode of action of orange and thyme oil in harvested plums.
Authors
N. Njombolwana-Swartz, R. Pfukwa, S. Monteiro, C.L. Lennox, J.C. Meitz-Hopkins
Keywords
antifungal, essential oil, host defence response, Prunus salicina, RTqPCR
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