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Effect of fungal fusaric acid on the root and leaf physiology of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings

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Abstract

The impact of fusaric acid (FA) phytotoxin on the physiology of root leaf cells in watermelon seedlings was evaluated. Results revealed that the cell membrane potential treated with FA in 12 h was decreased by 61.9–81.8% compared with untreated controls. FA markedly accelerated the lipid peroxidase activity of watermelon leaves. Malondiadehyde in leaves treated with different concentrations of FA in 24 h was 5.2–11.0 fold as much as control. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (PAL) in leaves treated with FA was first increased and then decreased. The highest PAL activity was obtained after 6–12 h, which was 7.2–10.5 fold as much as control. Activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) were first increased and then decreased when the seedlings were treated with FA. The highest SOD and POD activities were observed after 12 h and then both declined. The β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities in leaves treated with FA were first quickly increased and then declined, the highest activities were found after 12 and 3 h. We concluded that FA strongly inhibited root and leaf cells functions physiologically responsible for fusarium wilt of watermelon.

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Abbreviations

CAT:

Catalase

FA:

Fusaric acid

LPO:

Lipid peroxidation

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

POD:

Guaiacol peroxidase

PRs:

Pathogenesis-related protein

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SOD:

Superoxidase dismutase

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support from the Science and Technology Ministry of China for 973 and 863 project on Basic research on fertilizer saving and efficiency improvement for sustainable utilization of farmland (2007CB109304) and (2006AAD10Z416, 2006GB23600454, 2006BAD10B09) and from the Agricultural Ministry of China (2006-G62 and 06-07-04B). We would like to thank Dr. & Professor Fengxiang Han, from Mississippi State University, Dr. & Professor Tony Miller, from Rothamsted Research, UK, for their careful review and correction for the manuscript.

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  1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China, 210095

    Hong-sheng Wu, Xiao-ming Yin, Dong-yang Liu, Ning Ling, Wei Bao, Rong-rong Ying, Yi-yong Zhu, Shi-wei Guo & Qi-rong Shen

  2. Jiangsu Key Laboratory for State Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing, 210095, China

    Hong-sheng Wu, Xiao-ming Yin, Dong-yang Liu, Ning Ling, Wei Bao, Rong-rong Ying, Yi-yong Zhu, Shi-wei Guo & Qi-rong Shen

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  1. Hong-sheng Wu
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Correspondence to Qi-rong Shen.

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Wu, Hs., Yin, Xm., Liu, Dy. et al. Effect of fungal fusaric acid on the root and leaf physiology of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings. Plant Soil 308, 255–266 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9627-z

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