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Symptomless Endophytic Fungi Suppress Endogenous Levels of Salicylic Acid and Interact With the Jasmonate-Dependent Indirect Defense Traits of Their Host, Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus)

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Abstract

Symptomless ‘type II’ fungal endophytes colonize their plant host horizontally and exert diverse effects on its resistance phenotype. Here, we used wild Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) plants that were experimentally colonized with one of three strains of natural endophytes (Bartalinia pondoensis, Fusarium sp., or Cochliobolus lunatus) to investigate the effects of fungal colonization on the endogenous levels of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) and on two JA-dependent indirect defense traits. Colonization with Fusarium sp. enhanced JA levels in intact leaves, whereas B. pondoensis suppressed the induction of endogenous JA in mechanically damaged leaves. Endogenous SA levels in intact leaves were significantly decreased by all strains and B. pondoensis and Fusarium sp. decreased SA levels after mechanical damage. Colonization with Fusarium sp. or C. lunatus enhanced the number of detectable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from intact leaves, and all three strains enhanced the relative amount of several VOCs emitted from intact leaves as well as the number of detectable VOCs emitted from slightly damaged leaves. All three strains completely suppressed the induced secretion of extrafloral nectar (EFN) after the exogenous application of JA. Symptomless endophytes interact in complex and strain-specific ways with the endogenous levels of SA and JA and with the defense traits that are controlled by these hormones. These interactions can occur both upstream and downstream of the defense hormones.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Priscila Chaverri and James Blande for sharing unpublished data, Catalina Estrada and an anonymous referee for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript, Wilhelm Boland for providing us with DMNT and TMTT and Jorge Molina for standard compounds and help with the chromatography. CONACyT of México is gratefully acknowledged for financial support to AN-M (300752) and to MH (project grants: 109621 and 130656).

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  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, 36821, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

    Ariana L. Navarro-Meléndez & Martin Heil

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  1. Ariana L. Navarro-Meléndez
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  2. Martin Heil
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Correspondence to Martin Heil.

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Navarro-Meléndez, A.L., Heil, M. Symptomless Endophytic Fungi Suppress Endogenous Levels of Salicylic Acid and Interact With the Jasmonate-Dependent Indirect Defense Traits of Their Host, Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus). J Chem Ecol 40, 816–825 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-014-0477-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-014-0477-2

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