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Plants have the capacity to respond to conserved molecular features known as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). The goal of this work was to assess variation in the MAMP response in sorghum, to map loci associated with this variation, and to investigate possible connections with variation in quantitative disease resistance. Using an assay that measures the production of reactive oxygen species, we assessed variation in the MAMP response in a sorghum association mapping population known as the sorghum conversion population (SCP). We identified consistent variation for the response to chitin and flg22-an epitope of flagellin. We identified two SNP loci associated with variation in the flg22 response and one with the chitin response. We also assessed resistance to Target Leaf Spot (TLS) disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus Bipolaris cookei in the SCP. We identified one strong association on chromosome 5 near a previously characterized disease resistance gene. A moderately significant correlation was observed between stronger flg22 response and lower TLS resistance. Possible reasons for this are discussed.

Target leaf spot (TLS) of sorghum, a foliar disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus Bipolaris cookei (also known as Bipolaris sorghicola), can affect grain yield in sorghum by causing premature drying of leaves and defoliation. Two sorghum recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, BTx623/BTx642 and BTx623/SC155-14E, were assessed for TLS resistance in replicated trials. Using least square mean trait data, four TLS resistance QTL were identified, two in each population. Of these, three were previously unidentified while a major QTL on chromosome 5 in the BTx623/BTx642 RIL population corresponded to the previously identified TLS resistance gene ds1. A set of sorghum lines were assessed for production of reactive oxygen species induced by treatment with the microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) flg22 (a derivative of flagellin). Flg22-induced ROS production varied between lines in a consistent fashion. One QTL associated with variation in the flg22 response was detected in the RIL populations. No evidence was found to link variation in the MAMP response to variation in TLS resistance.

The article discusses the potential for manipulating the plant mycobiome to enhance plant resilience. It explains that there are two main methods for manipulating the mycobiome: leveraging existing fungal communities or introducing novel taxa. The article also highlights the challenges and opportunities for mycobiome management, emphasizing the need for a broad understanding of plant-fungal interactions. It discusses the importance of community assembly processes, host defense mechanisms, and the maintenance of beneficial mycobiomes. The article concludes by stating that successful mycobiome manipulation will require a combination of molecular and genetic tools, as well as an understanding of the ecology and evolution of plant-fungal interactions. [Extracted from the article]