INDURESTOM

Induced Resistance in tomato by beneficial microorganisms - Translating Arabidopsis-derived molecular knowledge on defense signaling

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Similarly to pathogens, the interaction with beneficial microorganisms (such as growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Trichoderma) can induce in plants a form of immunity and is known as Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR), which renders plants resistant to subsequent attack by a broad spectrum of pathogens. Multidisciplinary strategies and high throughput global methodologies are contributing to understanding of the mechanisms underlying the ISR signaling network. It was demonstrated that diverse hormones play pivotal roles in the regulation of this network. From research executed with the genetic model plant Arabidopsis is has become apparent that the signalling pathways controlled by phytohormones cross-communicate, providing the plant with a powerful capacity to finely regulate its immune response. However, while the vast majority of the advances in the understanding of the plant immune signaling network has been carried out using Arabidopsis, relatively little information on plant immunity regulation in crop plants is known. This proposal aims to apply the Arabidopsis-derived molecular knowledge to the economically and ecologically important crop species tomato to: (1) elucidate the genetic control of resistance induced by beneficial soil-borne microorganisms (PGPR and Trichoderma) through a multidisciplinary approach and (2) identify similarities and differences between the immune signaling networks of these two different plant species. Using a combination of studies based on molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics and bioinformatics (analyses of gene expression by real-time PCR and microarrays, hormonal profiling, generation of transgenic plants using RNAi, among others) an integrative analysis of the mechanisms controlling ISR is proposed. The relevance of this proposal relies on its multidisciplinary aspects to address a fundamental question of plant induced defence, which will render critical information to apply fundamental science to crop improvement'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Plants, like animals, have developed immune systems that can recognise and respond to attacks by alien organisms. Beneficial soil-borne microorganisms such as rhizobacteria and Trichoderma species can induce a similar form of systemic immunity called induced systemic resistance (ISR).

Descrizione progetto (Article)

A wide range of plant pathogens can be controlled through ISR, which offers a useful tool for the development of long-lasting and environmentally friendly crop protection strategies. However, the vast majority of advances in understanding the plant immune signalling network have been conducted using the model organism Arabidopsis.

Information regarding the immune systems of crop plants has been limited. Therefore, the EU-funded INDURESTOM (Global and local food chain assessment: A multidimensional performance-based approach) project was established to apply Arabidopsis-derived molecular knowledge on an economically important species, the tomato.

The project's main aim was to understand the genetic control of the plant's defence-related processes, which underlie the interaction of the tomato with beneficial microorganisms that induce resistance. Different bioassays and molecular techniques were used to show that Trichoderma ISR was able to protect tomato plants against different leaf pathogens. This was similar to ISR triggered by beneficial rhizobacteria in Arabidopsis shots.

Trichoderma were also found to be effective in protecting against herbivores, suggesting that Trichoderma has great potential as a low-input form of crop protection. Moreover, it was shown that Trichoderma can protect tomato roots against attack by nematodes, demonstrating the huge potential of this beneficial fungus as a biocontrol agent.

Researchers found salicylic acid and jasmonic acid hormonal pathways play a key role in signalling in ISR as well as regulating the direct interaction between Trichoderma and the plant root. INDURESTOM also revealed that besides root colonisation, volatile organic compounds released by Trichoderma can induce systemic resistance in Arabidopsis and tomato shoots.

Results from INDURESTOM have revealed key elements in the defence signalling pathways induced by Trichoderma in tomatoes. This knowledge will contribute to crop protection and improvement by exploiting natural beneficial organisms capable of boosting plant defences.