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Properties of vanillyl nonanoate for protection of pepper plants against Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea

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Abstract

The properties of a capsinoid, vanillyl nonanoate (VNT), to control P. capsici and B. cinerea were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro tests showed that VNT inhibits the germination of P. capsici spores, but not of B. cinerea spores. The antifungal effect was caused by the whole molecule, but not by the precursor molecules corresponding to the aromatic ring and the linear chain. In vivo assays, where plants were sprayed with VNT, then inoculated, showed that the compound protected the plant from the diseases caused by P. capsici and B. cinerea. VNT induced an enhanced expression of several pepper genes related to plant defence, namely CaBGLU1, CaSC1 and CaPAL1. Because VNT had no direct toxic effect against B. cinerea, and it induced pepper defence genes, the observed protection should be due to induced resistance.

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Abbreviations

NNA:

Nonanoic acid

VNT:

Vanillyl nonanoate

VOH:

Vanillyl alcohol

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Acknowledgements

J.V. is in receipt of a Posdoctoral Contract from Xunta de Galicia.

Funding

This research was funded by Xunta de Galicia (Grant 10MRU103009PR).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Investigación de Fisioloxía e aplicacións das plantas, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus de A Coruña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain

    Tania García, Javier Veloso & José Díaz

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  1. Tania García
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  2. Javier Veloso
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  3. José Díaz
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Correspondence to José Díaz.

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The manuscript complies with the Ethical Rules applicable for this journal.

Conflict of interest

José Díaz has received a research grant from Xunta de Galicia (Grant 10MRU103009PR). Javier Veloso is in receipt of a Posdoctoral Contract from Xunta de Galicia.

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García, T., Veloso, J. & Díaz, J. Properties of vanillyl nonanoate for protection of pepper plants against Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea . Eur J Plant Pathol 150, 1091–1101 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-017-1352-0

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