RNA-seq and metabolome revealed counter effect of chitosan against Botrytis cinerea on grape berries

Abstract

Background: Plants have great potential to protect against biotic and abiotic stresses. Hence, the interaction between defense signaling networks is incredible, which can either be activated with the application of growth elicitors or antimicrobial organic compounds. Results: In this study, chitosan (15kDa) is used against grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) in two grape varieties (Shine-Muscat and Kyoho). The findings depicted that the interaction of DEGs and KEGGs in control and treated samples of grapevine, which provides the evidence for selection of gray mold defense responsive genes and chitosan for subsequent application in grapevine production/postharvest. The genes encoding cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels (CNGCs) and CaM/CML expressed a large number of transcripts, meanwhile, in treated samples, CaM/CML and RPS2 showed the highest number of up-regulated genes. In plant hormone signal transduction pathway, treated samples AUXIAA and SAUR again the highest number of transcripts were found. In correlation with metabolome analysis, 20 differentially expressed metabolites were recorded. In the negative correlation in the control samples of Kyoho vs Shine mascate showed 224 and 157 up and down-regulated respectively. Moreover, antioxidants were also significantly regulated with the chitosan application and reduced the lesion diameter, water loss and disease incidence up to 12 days. In both varieties, the chitosan treatment superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, Malondialdehyde, catalase, and proline content was significantly increased during storage. Conclusion: The results depicted that at gene expression levels was varied at different fruit growth developmental stages, and the most effective in case of plant-pathogen interaction. Chitosan is seen to be more effective in both varieties and it acts as an anti-fungal agent. The transcriptomic study also confirmed that at the transcriptome level expression was higher in treated samples, however in general transcription factor have not much affected with chitosan application.

Natural Compounds and Derivates: Alternative Treatments to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Fruits

“…Conversely, the genes associated with glycerophospholipid and ether lipid metabolism, as well as steroid biosynthesis, are upregulated. These genes play a role in maintaining cell membrane stability and could hinder fungal development [53][54][55][56][57]. Furthermore, chitosan interacts with a plant´s immune system, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions and stimulating the activation of genes related to the activity of chitinase, peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, and B-1,3-glucanase, while also increasing the concentration of flavonoids and lignin [57][58][59].…”

“…These genes play a role in maintaining cell membrane stability and could hinder fungal development [53][54][55][56][57]. Furthermore, chitosan interacts with a plant´s immune system, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions and stimulating the activation of genes related to the activity of chitinase, peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, and B-1,3-glucanase, while also increasing the concentration of flavonoids and lignin [57][58][59]. Moreover, the versatility of this polymer with other technologies helps enhance the formation of a rigid network derived from these properties [30,60,61].…”