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Role of cell wall and cell membrane integrity in imparting defense response against Phytophthora capsici in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

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Abstract

The structural defense response of a black pepper line (04-P24) showing root resistance to Phytophthora capsici was studied in comparison with a highly susceptible line (Sreekara). Role of cell wall reinforcement and cell membrane integrity was analyzed. Cell membrane integrity was studied under hydroponic system in terms of leakage of electrolytes caused by the cell membrane damage due to pathogen entry. Root cell membrane rupture and resultant phenolic leakage were clearly visible in the form of color change of the liquid phase during the course of infection. Root leachates of Sreekara turned highly dark due to the increased level of phenol leakage which was proportional to the cell membrane damage. The root leachate was analyzed for change in conductivity, total phenols and ortho-dihydroxy (OD) phenols. Cell wall reinforcement of the vascular tissues of black pepper root upon pathogen inoculation was analyzed histochemically. Toluidine blue O and Maule staining differentiated the intensity of lignin deposition in the root cells of both lines and it was comparatively stronger in the resistant line. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that hyphae of P. capsici are not penetrating the root of 04-P24 supporting the finding that roots of this line don’t support Phytophthora infection.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Council Order No. (T)364/FSHP/2010/CSTE, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Authors acknowledge Director, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala, India for facilities provided. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Director, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode for providing the SEM facility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikkunnu P O, Kozhikode, Kerala, 673012, India

    V. V. Vandana, R. Suseela Bhai & R. Ramakrishnan Nair

  2. Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikkunnu P O, Kozhikode, Kerala, 673012, India

    R. Suseela Bhai

  3. ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangaluru, Kozhikode, Karnataka, 560089, India

    Shamina Azeez

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  1. V. V. Vandana
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  2. R. Suseela Bhai
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  3. R. Ramakrishnan Nair
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  4. Shamina Azeez
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Correspondence to R. Suseela Bhai.

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Highlights

1. The study was carried out in Phytophthora capsici susceptible (Sreekara) and resistant (04-P24, shows root resistance to the pathogen) black pepper lines.

2. The role of cell membrane integrity and cell wall reinforcement in imparting resistance to P. capsici was studied and found that increased cell membrane integrity and higher lignification of root cells (mainly vascular tissues) play crucial role in root resistance of 04-P24 to P. capsici.

3. In our previous paper published in the journal PMPP (Vandana et al., 2014), the role of lignin in root resistance of 04-P24 was clearly described. The results obtained in this study confirm the above finding.

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Vandana, V.V., Suseela Bhai, R., Ramakrishnan Nair, R. et al. Role of cell wall and cell membrane integrity in imparting defense response against Phytophthora capsici in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Eur J Plant Pathol 154, 359–375 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-018-01661-3

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