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Resistance to Spongospora subterranea induced in potato by the elicitor β-aminobutyric acid

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Abstract

Induction of resistance in potato to Spongospora subterranea (which causes powdery scab on tubers) was studied in two controlled glasshouse experiments. β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) was applied at different concentrations (1, 2 or 4 mM) to potato plants which were then inoculated with S. subterranea. Amounts of the pathogen in roots and intensity of Spongospora root galling were assessed. Infection was measured at different times during plant growth, at 3 or 6 weeks after inoculation (first experiment), and 2, 4 or 6 weeks after inoculation (second experiment). In the first experiment, growth of plants was reduced in proportion to the BABA application rate, and the plants had high levels of S. subterranea infection. In the second experiment, at 4 weeks after inoculation, plants treated with BABA had less S. subterranea in their roots and fewer root galls compared with non-treated plants. Six weeks after inoculation, plants treated with 1 mM BABA developed S. subterranea infection, almost to the level of non-treated plants. In contrast, 2 and 4 mM BABA treatments greatly reduced the amount of S. subterranea in roots and numbers of root galls compared with non-treated plants. Repeated applications (at 2 weeks intervals) increased the effectiveness of BABA. A third test indicated that BABA was not directly toxic to S. subterranea resting spores. These results demonstrate that chemically induced resistance reduces host root infection by S. subterranea, and may have disease management potential. This is the first report of chemically induced host resistance to Spongospora.

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Acknowledgments

This research was carried out with financial support from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment “Ecosystems Bioprotection” Programme (LINX0804), and Horticulture New Zealand. Dr Tony Reglinski provided valuable advice on the use of elicitors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, PB 4704, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    M. Loreto Hernandez Maldonado, Richard E. Falloon, Ruth C. Butler & Simon R. Bulman

  2. Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand

    M. Loreto Hernandez Maldonado & Richard E. Falloon

  3. AgResearch Limited, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Anthony J. Conner

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  1. M. Loreto Hernandez Maldonado
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  2. Richard E. Falloon
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  5. Simon R. Bulman
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Correspondence to Richard E. Falloon.

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Hernandez Maldonado, M.L., Falloon, R.E., Butler, R.C. et al. Resistance to Spongospora subterranea induced in potato by the elicitor β-aminobutyric acid. Australasian Plant Pathol. 44, 445–453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-015-0363-6

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