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Effect of bacterial endophyte on expression of defense genes in Indian popcorn against Fusarium moniliforme

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Abstract

An endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. subtilis was isolated from surface sterilized seedlings of tropical corn. To evaluate the hypothesis that this endophyte is defensive in nature and determine the mechanisms of host defense we examined the effects of the endophyte on pathogens and host disease resistance genes. The bacterial endophyte showed antifungal activity against fungal pathogens Fusarium moniliforme, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Aspergillus flavus. Plant protection activity was also observed in Indian popcorn seedlings inoculated with the endophyte against F. moniliforme. Gene expression analysis was conducted and demonstrated that up-regulation of several defense genes in corn was greater after 48 hours of pathogen challenge than 24 hours. Plant defense pathways triggered by the endophytic bacterium appeared to be SA (salicylic acid) independent. The abundance of the zm Jasmonic acid-induced gene expression was greater in pathogen challenged plants pre-treated with the endophytic bacterium than in the plants challenged only with pathogen. Pre-treatment with the endophytic bacterium resulted in a more intense induction of maize pathogenesis related protein genes PR-1 and PR-10 during interaction with F. moniliforme compared to plants that were treated only with the fungal pathogen.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University for providing necessary facilities. SKG acknowledges UGC, India for providing Raman Post Doctoral fellowship No.F 5-31/2013(lC) for the year (2013-14) to visit USA and to administration, Visva-Bharati for providing leave and necessary facilities. RNK expresses his thankfulness to Department of Botany, BHU and DST (SB/EMEQ121/2014 dated 21/07/2014) for facilities and financial support. Authors would like to thanks Dr. Michael D. Pierce for assistance on RT-qPCR. We are grateful for financial assistance from: the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA NIFA Multistate Project W3147, the John and Christina Craighead Foundation, and the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Surendra K. Gond, Marshall S. Bergen, Mónica S. Torres & James F. White Jr

  2. Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, 731235, India

    Surendra K. Gond

  3. Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Ravindra N. Kharwar

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  1. Surendra K. Gond
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  2. Marshall S. Bergen
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Correspondence to Surendra K. Gond or James F. White Jr.

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Gond, S.K., Bergen, M.S., Torres, M.S. et al. Effect of bacterial endophyte on expression of defense genes in Indian popcorn against Fusarium moniliforme . Symbiosis 66, 133–140 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-015-0348-9

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