Title: Analysis of bio-genomic activity and biomass growth response in potatoes to Rhizoctonia solani- potato pathotype

Biography:

Reza Hejazi is  completing his PhD at the Department of plant pathology, Varamin-pishva branch, Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran.  He is the lecturer of Department of Plant Pathology, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an member of the board member of Iranian Phytopathology Society (IPS),.

Abstract

Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae) known as potatoes is a globally important crop plant producing high yields of nutritionally valuable food in the form of tubers.Rhizoctonia solani AG3-PT, teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris, is a polyphagous necrotrophic plant pathogen of the Basidiomycete order is an important fungal pathogen of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) world-wide. Host resistant sources are the most recommenced, durable and environmentally friendly method for managing disease. Three resistant and three susceptible potato genotypes out of 92 potato genotypes screened for resistance against R. solani AG3-PT under field conditions were subjected to bio-genetic assays using PR-5, Glub2, pcht28, PR-1b, ERF4, PAL1, PIN2 and LOX1 genes and ef1α as a housekeeping gene; and antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL1) analysis. Resistance and susceptibility of the selected potato genotypes were confirmed under greenhouse conditions. Biomass parameters in susceptible genotypes decreased significantly compared to resistant genotypes. Gene expression and enzyme activities increased in resistant potato genotypes inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani AG3-PT compared to susceptible and controls, non-inoculated genotypes. Changes in expression levels of genes increased the highest in pcht28 (8.41 fold), followed by PR-1b (6), ERF4 (5) and PR-5 (5). Antioxidant enzymes activities were increased the highest in SOD (10 fold), followed by PAL1 (4), PPO (3) and POX (3). Identification and production of potato cultivars resistant to R. solani will be possible based on changes in biomass, gene expression level and enzyme production rate.