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24-Epibrassinolide Mechanisms Regulating Blossom-End Rot Development in Tomato Fruit

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Abstract

Blossom-end rot (BER) is a physiological disorder believed to be triggered by low Ca2+ content in the distal fruit tissue. However, many other factors can also determine fruit susceptibility to BER. It is possible that during fruit growth, Ca2+ imbalance can increase membrane leakiness, which may trigger the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, leading to cell death. Brassinosteroids are a class of plant hormones involved in stress defenses, specially increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of antioxidant compounds, such as ascorbic acid. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanisms by which 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) reduces fruit susceptibility to BER. Tomato plants ‘BRS Montese’ were cultivated in a greenhouse and were weekly sprayed with water (control) or EBL (0.01 µM) after full bloom. Plants and fruits were evaluated at 15 days after pollination (DAP). According to the results, EBL treatment inhibited BER development, increased fruit diameter, length, and fresh weight. EBL-treated fruit showed higher concentrations of soluble Ca2+ and lower concentrations of cell wall-bound Ca2+. EBL-treated fruit also had higher concentrations of ascorbic acid and lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, compared to water-treated fruit. EBL treatment increased the activity of the three main antioxidant enzymes known as ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. According to the results, EBL treatment maintained higher soluble Ca2+ and antioxidant capacity, reducing fruit susceptibility to BER.

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Acknowledgements

The Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP) supported this study. We also thank the Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Biochemistry (ESALQ/USP), and Laboratory of Plants Mineral Nutrition (CENA/USP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Sciences Department, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 11 Padua Dias Av, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

    Lucas Baiochi Riboldi & Paulo Roberto de Camargo e Castro

  2. Genetics and Plant Breeding Department, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 11 Padua Dias Av, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

    Salete Aparecida Gaziola & Ricardo Antunes Azevedo

  3. Postharvest Biology and TechnologySérgio Tonetto de Freitas, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Semi-arid, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Sérgio Tonetto de Freitas

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  1. Lucas Baiochi Riboldi
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  2. Salete Aparecida Gaziola
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  3. Ricardo Antunes Azevedo
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Correspondence to Lucas Baiochi Riboldi.

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Riboldi, L.B., Gaziola, S.A., Azevedo, R.A. et al. 24-Epibrassinolide Mechanisms Regulating Blossom-End Rot Development in Tomato Fruit. J Plant Growth Regul 38, 812–823 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-018-9892-x

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