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Rhodomyrtus tomentosa extract and rhodomyrtone, a plant-derived compound, have been documented as promising alternatives against bacterial infections, particularly when compared with traditional antibiotics. This will be of economic value for many industrial applications. The study aims to investigate the potential of callogenesis of this plant by tissue culture technique and monitor the production of rhodomyrtone. The effects of physical scarification treatment on R. tomentosa seed germination demonstrated a significant increase in the germination rate by 72.5%, compared with the control treatment (p ≤ 0.01). Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) containing 3% sucrose supplemented with gibberellic acid (1 mg/L) showed no effects on seed germination. MS supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine induced both maximum leaf-cultured proliferation and fresh weight of callus at 3.00 ± 0.27 g after 30 days of culture. At day 24, MS supplemented with 0.6 mg/L salicylic acid significantly enhanced rhodomyrtone content to 0.35 ± 0.22 mg/g dry weight, compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.01). Two-fold higher rhodomyrtone content (0.16 mg/g dry weight) was obtained then compared with conventional leaf extraction. Callogenesis together with a suitable elicitor could be a promising future for the large-scale manufacturing of plant-derived rhodomyrtone.Key message: This is the first study disclosing a promising in vitro culture technique and elicitation monitoring to increase rhodomyrtone content in Rhodomyrtus tomentosa callus cultures for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the efficacy of chitosan, methyl jasmonate, and silicon in the reduction of disease severity and the induction of defense responses in common bean plants against angular leaf spot caused by Pseudocercospora griseola. The expression level of several pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, PR1, PR2 (β-1,3-glucanase), and PR3 (chitinase), and defense-related enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and lipoxygenase, was analyzed at different time points in common bean plants after different treatments. Elicitor treatments significantly reduced disease severity 21 days after inoculation, with silicon at a 2 mM concentration proving most effective with 38.93% disease control, followed by 1 mM MeJA and 2% chitosan, respectively. Treatments with chitosan, methyl jasmonate, and silicon, regardless of pathogen infection, significantly elevated PR1, PR2, and PR3 gene expressions at 48 h after inoculation (hpi). PAL and POD activities were similarly increased following elicitor treatments and pathogen infection, especially at 48 hpi. Chemical elicitors applied post-inoculation induced PR proteins, PAL, and POD enzyme activities at 48 hpi, while LOX activity exhibited a variable fluctuation with treatments. These findings suggested that chemical elicitors, especially silicon, were effective in reducing ALS disease severity in common beans, with improved resistance associated with the expression of pathogen-responsive genes. This study is the first to analyze the expression profiles of defense-related genes in common beans treated with chemical elicitors prior to P. griseola infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Apple peel is rich in natural molecules, many exhibiting a significant bioactivity. In this study, our objective was to establish a novel callus line derived from the apple peel of the Italian local variety Annurca, known to accumulate high levels of dihydrochalcones and terpenes. In this regard, we tested the impact of one elicitor, yeast extract, on the expression of genes encoding key enzymes involved in phloridzin and ursolic acid biosynthesis, leading to the accumulation of these antioxidant compounds. We also assessed the bioactivity of callus extracts enriched in these phytochemicals.After the elicitation, data showed increased expression of genes directly related to the synthesis of phloridzin and ursolic acid that were found to accumulate within the cultures. This presumably could explain the remarkable activity of extracts from the elicited‐calli in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Also, the extracts enriched in antioxidant compounds inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human cells exposed to ultraviolet‐A (UV‐A) radiation.Our results underscore the vast potential of the Annurca apple peel cell line in producing natural compounds that can be employed as food components to promote human health. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction There is no doubt that significant progress is being made in nanoscience and technology, which has paved the way for advancements in many different fields such as agriculture, biology, food, and medicine. Among the different types of nano-scaled metal oxides, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are among the most widely employed nano-compounds in various industries, including agriculture, food, and medicine. Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive signaling substance in living organisms, including plants, which plays vital roles in different stages of plant development during the life cycle. Physiological responses of crop plants to long-term application of NO or ZnONPs individually and mixed manners have not been well investigated and remain largely unknown. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of long-term foliar application of NO or ZnONPs on the growth performance and physiology of tomato plants. Considering the necessity of developing a sustainable agricultural approach, this project was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term foliar application of NO or ZnONPs on the growth, performance, nutrition and metabolism of tomato. Materials and methods This study was implemented as a completely randomized design with four treatment groups and three independent replications. This experiment was conducted in soilless conditions (cocopeat and perlite) in a greenhouse (Islamic Azad University, Garmsar branch, Garmsar). Tomato seedlings was irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution. 30-days-old tomato seedlings were sprayed with ZnO-NP at two concentrations (0 and 3 mg/L) or NO (0 and 25 μM) 15 times with an interval of 72 hours. Results and Discussion The results showed that NO and ZnONPs treatments, especially in the combined one, caused a significant increase in the biomass in shoot and root compared to the control. The applied treatments also affected the characteristics of the plants in the reproductive stage. The application of NO and ZnONPs treatments significantly reduced the time of entering into the reproductive phase, increased fruit production, and enhanced fruit biomass, which indicated the effectiveness of these treatments on plant reproductive development. Foliar spraying with NO and ZnONPs caused a significant improvement in the content of several essential minerals, including potassium (K+), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in leaves and fruits, compared to the control group. The NO and ZnONPs treatments synergistically and significantly augmented in the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), and carotenoids in leaves in comparison to the control group. The highest amount of proline amino acid was observed in ZnONP and NO+ZnONP treatment groups, which was significantly higher than the control group. Single and combined treatments of seedlings with NO and ZnONPs led to a significant increase in the content of soluble phenols in leaves compared to the control group. Phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) enzyme activity also followed the same trend as soluble phenols. Also, the activity of antioxidant peroxidase enzyme showed a significant up-regulation in response to the application of NO or ZnONPs. The highest activity of nitrate reductase enzyme was recorded in the leaves of plants simultaneously supplemented with NO and ZnONPs. Conclusion The results of this research indicated that foliar spraying with NO or ZnONPs at low concentration can lead to the promotion of plant growth and metabolism and also strengthening the plant's defense system, while reducing the risk of possible toxicity. These findings can be useful for designing future studies on nano-fertilizers or pesticides. This study also emphasizes the necessity of providing transcriptome and proteome data in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a natural elicitor, used for stimulating plant growth and inducing plant defense. However, due to difficulty in monitoring root growth and activity, the effects of chitosan treatment on plant root systems have been less studied as compared to plant shoot parts that include leaves, seeds, and fruits. This results in an indefinite outcome of the benefits of chitosan on plant roots. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of chitosan treatment on root growth and defense responses based on current evidence. Interestingly, many studies have demonstrated that chitosan can induce plant root defense systems, yet conversely inhibiting root growth. The effects were most clearly observed from studies using liquid or solid media as substrates, while the results from the studies using soil were inconclusive and require additional investigation to observe the effects of environmental factors. In addition, root chitosan treatment showed variable effects on shoot growth, where low chitosan concentrations tend to promote shoot growth, but high chitosan concentrations may affect shoot development. Additionally, this review discusses the potential methods of chitosan application onto plant roots. Water insolubility of chitosan is likely a major issue for root treatment. Chitosan can be dissolved in acids, but this could induce acidity stress in plant roots. Modified versions of chitosan, such as chitosan nanoparticles, carboxylated chitosan, and graft chitosan copolymers have been developed to improve solubility and functionality. Chitosan nanoparticles can also be used to encapsulate other biocontrol agents to augment biological effects on plant defense. In conclusion, root chitosan treatment could help to promote plant defense and prevent root infections, abating the uses of chemical fungicides in agriculture. However, further research is required to monitor the impact of root chitosan treatment on long-term plant growth in order to gain multifaceted information to maximize the effectiveness of root chitosan application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal properties of narcissus plants are attributed to the presence of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Elicitors, such as nanoparticles, are employed to enhance the production of secondary metabolites through signaling and the generation of reactive oxygen species. We investigated the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs), trans-cinnamic acid (tCA), and L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) precursors on various physiological and biochemical parameters in Narcissus tazetta L., with a particular focus on alkaloid content. Fe3O4- NPs treatment significantly increased photosynthetic pigments, secondary metabolites (including alkaloids, phenolic compounds), total soluble carbohydrates, and polysaccharides. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) enhanced under Fe3O4-NPs treatment. While tCA treatment led to an increase in H2O2 level, L-Phe treatment decreased it. Both elicitors influenced the plant's metabolism, promoting primary and secondary metabolites. The augmentation of photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activity induced by tCA and L-Phe treatments appeared to improve alkaloid production. Furthermore, in silico studies using Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) software were conducted. The third structures of PAL and N4OMT enzymes were designed by Modeler software and the ligand structures were designed using ChemDraw® (Fe3O4) and Atomsk (precursors) software. Docking results revealed that the Fe3O4-NPs and precursors interacted with the active sites of PAL and N4OMT, two enzymes involved in alkaloid biosynthesis in narcissus, exhibiting varying binding energies and impacting their activities. The Fe3O4/N4OMT and L-phenylalanine/PAL complexes had higher free energies of binding. Our results indicated that Fe3O4-NPs and precursors significantly affected the gene expressions of PAL and N4OMT. The highest levels of PAL (after 96 h) and N4OMT (after 24 h) expressions were obtained in tCA + Fe3O4-NPs and L-Phe + Fe3O4-NPs treatments. In summary, the application of Fe3O4-NPs, tCA, and L-Phe demonstrated the potential to activate the production of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, by modulating the plant's metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the most important limiting factors in crop production, and it creates major challenges for the growth and development of plants in many parts of the world. Elicitors, as key messenger compounds, play an important modulatory role in plant responses to abiotic stresses, which leads to physiological changes and triggers the expression of stress-responsive genes by the synthesis of signaling molecules. A factorial experiment was conducted with two factors in a greenhouse at the University of Zabol, Iran, during 2021. The water supply applied at three levels including 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop water requirement (as control, mild, and severe water deficit stress, respectively). The foliar sprayings were applied at six levels: control, 70% ethanol, 0.5 and 1 mM SA, and 0.5 and 1 mM MeJA. The effect of elicitors on various physiological, biochemical parameters and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), MYB62, and NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2 (NAC) genes under drought stress conditions was investigated by qRT-PCR. In final the target genes, correlation rate was calculated based on the co-expression and experimental parameters, and their expression network was plotted using Cytoscape software. The results of the physiological analysis revealed that with increasing water deficit stress intensity, the amount of Chl-a, Chl-b, and total chlorophyll content decreased significantly. The utilization of elicitors also increased the carotenoid content. The analysis of anti-oxidant enzyme activity showed that the activity of the guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) increased significantly under severe stress + 1 mM MeJA application. The highest catalase (CAT) activity was also observed under severe stress + 1 mM MeJA. The expression analysis of three genes SOD, MYB62, and NAC showed that with increasing water deficit stress, the expression of all three genes increased. Based on the present results, MeJA and SA had a positive effect on increasing the expression of MYB62, proline, and carbohydrate but greatly reduced the expression of NAC. Among the spraying treatments, 0.5 mM SA showed the highest positive impact on the expression of the studied genes, while the ethanol treatment had the most negative effect. The expression analysis of genes involved in drought tolerance under elicitor applications is necessary to elucidate the relationship between physiological and enzymatic changes (osmotic adjustment, pigments, and anti-oxidant enzymes) and gene expression patterns in quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of plant secondary metabolites may prove to be important for novel drug development. The objective of this investigation was to enhance the biosynthesis of alkaloid compounds aervine and methylaervine in callus-derived cell suspension cultures of Aerva javanica using biotic and abiotic elicitors. The effect of five different elicitors on the biosynthesis of aervine (AE) and methylaervine (MAE) contents was studied for 20 days to determine the concentrations suitable for their accumulation in A. javanica. The callus obtained from the shoots of A. javanica on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg L−1 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and their cell suspension cultures were used for the elicitation purposes. The result proved the maximum accumulation of AE and MAE contents in cell suspension culture. It was found to be 72.26 ± 0.30 mg g−1 DW of MAE, showing an increase of 8.66-fold, and AE content (7.48 ± 0.39 mg g−1 DW) in sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), whereas AE (34.10 ± 0.84 mg g−1 DW) and MAE (9.69 ± 0.04 mg g−1 DW) showed a 2.51-fold increase in salicylic acid. It was observed that the production of hairy root using Agrobacterium rhizogenes (MTCC 532) helps in improving aervine (42.22 ± 1.04 mg g−1 DW) and methylaervine (8.30 ± 0.09 mg g−1 DW) accumulation. This study will serve as an alternate protocol to improve alkaloid quantity as well as quality by elicitor stimulation. Furthermore, it may help in the sustainable production of A. javanica taxon and thereby helping in rescuing the natural sources recommended to cure several ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) is a polyphagous agricultural pest with rapidly evolving adaptations to host plants. We found the oral secretion (OS) of FAW from different plants influences plant defense response differentially, suggesting its role in adapting to host plants. However, the protein expression profile of FAW OS respond to different plants is largely unknown. RESULTS: Here, from the mass spectrometry assay, we identified a total of 256 proteins in the OS of FAW fed on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana Domin), maize (Zea mays L.) and artificial diet. The FAW OS primarily comprise of 60 proteases, 32 esterases and 92 non‐enzymatic proteins. It displays high plasticity across different diets. We found that more than half of the esterases are lipases which have been reported as insect elicitors to enhance plant defense response. The lipase accumulation in cotton‐fed larvae was the highest, followed by maize‐fed larvae. In the presence of lipase inhibitors, the enhanced induction on defense genes in wounded leaves by OS was attenuated. However, the putative effectors were most highly accumulated in the OS from FAW larvae fed on maize compared to those fed on other diets. We identified that one of them (VRLP4) reduces the OS‐mediated induction on defense genes in wounded leaves. CONCLUSION: Together, our investigation presents the proteomic landscape of the OS of FAW influenced by different diets and reveals diet‐mediated plasticity of OS is involved in FAW adaptation to host plants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction So far, more than 40 different types of alkaloids have been known in poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) as a valuable medicinal plant, the most important of which are morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, and papaverine. The biosynthesis of these alkaloids may be strongly influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic elicitors. In fact, microbes as biotic elicitors can affect the production of poppy alkaloids. Among them, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be noticed, which stimulate and improve plant growth through various mechanisms such as mineral phosphate solubilization, plant hormone production, siderophores secretion, nitrogen fixation, etc. The use of PGPR agents can not only lead to an increase in plant biomass, but simultaneously, due to their role as biotic elicitors, they cause to an increase in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. These biotic elicitors target plants’ defense mechanisms and result in triggering a series of metabolic changes throughout the plant. The use of PGPR agents to stimulate the plant to produce secondary metabolites has several advantages: First, in some plants, defensive metabolites are active biological compounds that lead to the induction of food production with high added-value in the plants. Secondly, physiologically, with the increase in the synthesis of secondary metabolites, the resistance of the plant against pathogens also increases. Accordingly, the present study was performed with the aim of investigating the effects of bacterial strains with the ability to solubilize inorganic phosphate as biotic elicitors on the amount of morphine, papaverine, and noscapine alkaloids in P. somniferum. Materials and Methods In this research, the solubility of inorganic phosphate by four bacterial strains including Enterobacter xiangfangensis S2, Pantoea dispersa S7, Pantoea stewartii S25, and Pseudomonas canadensis S36 was evaluated quantitatively using Sperber broth medium. Under greenhouse conditions, the effect of foliar spraying of P. somniferum plants with a suspension of the bacterial strains (108 CFU.ml-1) on the amount of morphine, papaverine, and noscapine in the plants’ capsules, stems, and leaves was investigated. About three weeks after the appearance of capsules in poppy plants, the aerial parts of the plants (stems, leaves, and capsules) were sprayed with the bacterial suspensions. One week after foliar spraying, poppy plants were harvested in order to determine the amount of the desired alkaloids. Three pots were considered for each treatment and there were three poppy plants in each pot. Alkaloids were extracted based on an alcoholic method and detected using HPLC. Morphine and noscapine standards were prepared at a concentration of 1000 μg.ml-1 and papaverine standard at a concentration of 250 μg/ml. Then the mixture was prepared in proportions of 1, 1:50, 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 and injected into the HPLC set to draw the calibration curve. All the experiments were conducted in a form of completely randomized design with three replications for each treatment (P

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is vulnerable to infections by various fungal pathogens. White root disease infection is one of the most prevalent diseases of rubber in Malaysia. This disease is caused by the fungus Rigidoporus microporus. Delayed management of this disease can cause considerable reduction in total tree stand and ultimately decreased land productivity. The utilisation of elicitor proteins to heighten host plant resistance represents a sustainable approach to disease control by reducing the use of chemical fungicides. The cerato-platanin protein family is the most widely reported class of elicitor proteins. This study isolated a member of the cerato-platanin family from R. microporus and evaluated its expression during H. brasiliensis infection. Total RNA was extracted from the mycelial sample of R. microporus followed by cDNA synthesis, isolation and cloning of the cerato-platanin transcript referred to as rmcp. In silico characterisation of the obtained sequence was then conducted and the relative expression of the gene was evaluated using RT-qPCR. A transcript of 438 bp encoding 145 amino acids protein, denoted as RmCP, was isolated and cloned. RmCP is composed of a cerato-platanin domain and a predicted N-terminal signal peptide. Phylogenetic analysis grouped RmCP into a cluster together with cerato-platanin proteins originating from basidiomycetes. The expression of rmcp gene was consistent throughout the study period and was not significantly different from axenic culture. This suggests the gene to have a fundamental function in the life cycle of R. microporus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State Belgium for the pesticide active substance Pythium oligandrum strain B301 and the considerations as regards the inclusion of the substance in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of Pythium oligandrum strain B301 as a resistance inducer/elicitor to control trunk diseases on grapevines. The reliable endpoints, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes poses a significant global health burden, demanding safe and effective therapeutic interventions. Medicinal plants offer promising avenues for natural diabetic management. Galega officinalis (goat's rue) has long been recognized for its hypoglycemic potential, but optimizing its phytochemical content and antidiabetic activity remains a key challenge. This study aimed to address this aspect by investigating the impact of foliar application of chitosan and salicylic acid on the physiological and phytochemical properties of G. officinalis, and subsequently evaluating its antidiabetic efficacy compared to that of the established drug metformin. A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed. Laboratory mice were divided into treatment groups receiving G. officinalis extract from plants sprayed with four salicylic acid concentrations (0.5–3 mM/L) and four chitosan concentrations (0–0.8 g/L). Blood glucose levels and various physiological parameters were assessed. Chitosan at 0.4 g/L and salicylic acid at 2 mM significantly enhanced the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant activity of G. officinalis. Notably, the extract from plants treated with 3 mM salicylic acid exhibited the highest total alkaloid content, a potential contributor to antidiabetic activity. In a separate study, diabetic mice treated with this optimized G. officinalis extract (50 mg/kg) exhibited significantly greater blood glucose reductions compared to those treated with metformin (500 mg). This study demonstrates the potential of chitosan and salicylic acid in optimizing the beneficial properties of G. officinalis. The extract derived from plants treated with 3 mM salicylic acid displayed superior blood glucose‐lowering efficacy compared to metformin, suggesting its promising role as a potential natural antidiabetic therapy. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for this enhanced activity and translate these findings into clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galanthamine is an immensely valuable alkaloid exhibiting anti-cancer and antiviral activity. The cultivation of plant tissues in in vitro conditions is a good source for the synthesis and enrichment of secondary metabolites of commercial interest. In this study, the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid galanthamine was quantified in three Zephyranthes species, such as Zephyranthes candida, Zephyranthes grandiflora, and Zephyranthes citrina, and the impact of the methyl jasmonate (MJ) signaling molecule on galanthamine accumulation was monitored in in vitro-derived plant tissues. This is the first ever study of the MJ-regulated accumulation of galanthamine in in vitro-grown Zephyranthes tissues. Shoot regeneration was obtained in all three Zephyranthes species on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mgL−1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mgL−1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The regenerated shoots were rooted on a medium containing 2.0 mgL−1 indole butyric acid (IBA). A GC-MS study of Zephyranthes extracts revealed the presence of 34 phyto-compounds of varied levels with therapeutic activities against diseases. The galanthamine content was quantified in plant parts of the three Zephyranthes species using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC); the maximum was found in Z. candida bulb (2.41 µg g−1 dry wt.), followed by Z. grandiflora (2.13 µg g−1 dry wt.), and then Z. citrina (2.02 µg g−1 dry wt.). The galanthamine content showed bulb > leaf > root source order. The in vitro-generated plantlets were treated with different MJ concentrations, and the galanthamine yield was measured in bulb, leaf, and root tissues. The highest galanthamine content was recorded in bulbs of Z. candida (3.97 µg g−1 dry wt.) treated with 150 µM MJ, showing an increase of 64.73% compared to the control. This accumulation may be attributed to MJ-induced stress, highlighting the potential commercial synthesis of galanthamine in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of elicitors on Vanda coerulea Griff. Ex Lindl. protocorms to enhance bioactive compound production and evaluate their biological activities relevant to cosmeceutical applications. The protocorms were developed from the callus treated with different elicitors, including 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and chitosan. Both the adult plant and protocorms were extracted by maceration in 80% methanol and investigated for their chemical compositions using high-performance liquid chromatography. The extracts were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-tyrosinase activities. In addition, anti-inflammatory properties were assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The irritation potency was evaluated using the hen's egg test-chorioallantoic membrane test. The findings revealed that protocorms treated with BA and chitosan developed a greener color, while those treated with MeJA exhibited a distinct darker coloration. Elicitation with BA and chitosan resulted in protocorms with comparable or higher levels of syringic acid, rutin, and quercin compared with the adult plant, with rutin being the most prominent identified compound. Furthermore, rutin was reported as the compound responsible for all biological activities. The chitosan-treated protocorm extract exhibited potent inhibition against oxidation, collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase, and inflammatory cytokines, along with a nonirritating effect, making it a promising candidate for cosmeceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Plant defense elicitors are valuable tools in sustainable agriculture, providing an environmentally friendly and effective means of enhancing plant defense and promoting plant health. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most important fungal diseases of cereal crops worldwide. The PSP1 is a novel biopesticide formulated based on an elicitor, the extracellular protein AsES, from the fungus Sarocladium strictum. The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PSP1 in controlling FHB under field conditions. Experiments were conducted during three consecutive growing seasons (2019, 2020, and 2021). Three biostimulant treatments were tested in different physiological stages (from late tillering to heading stage), and FHB inoculations were performed at anthesis. Disease parameters, seed parameters, grain yield, and grain quality parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Depending on the year and the genotype, reductions in disease incidence (up to 11%) and disease severity (up to 5%) were reported, although these differences could not be attributed to the use of the PSP1 biostimulant. Occasional improvements in seed parameters and grain quality were observed, suggesting that early treatments could work better than late treatments, probably due to early activation/priming of defense response mechanisms. However, more studies are deemed necessary. CONCLUSION: The use of PSP1 biostimulant in commercial wheat crops could be a biological alternative or complement to traditional chemical fungicides to manage FHB. The reduced environmental impact and the potential benefits in grain yield and quality are other reasons that can generate new adherents of this technology in worldwide agriculture systems in the coming years. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endophytic fungi can promote secondary metabolite accumulation in medicinal plants. Previously, we observed that the culture filtrate of Fusarium solani CL105 promoted flavonoid production in Scutellaria baicalensis calli. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms associated with this secondary metabolite accumulation remain unclear. Methods: This study evaluates the effects of different elicitors from the culture filtrate of F. solani CL105 namely, exopolysaccharide (EPS), exoprotein (EP), and other parts (OP), on the flavonoid production in S. baicalensis calli by HPLC. Subsequently, the underlying mechanism of EPS induced flavonoid production in S. baicalensis calli was revealed by transcriptomics and RT-PCR. Results and discussion: The results indicated a significant increase in flavonoid production in S. baicalensis calli following treatment with EPS. Baicalin (1.40 fold), wogonoside (1.91 fold), and wogonin (2.76 fold) were most significantly up-regulated compared with the control. Transcriptome analysis further revealed up-regulation of key enzyme genes (CHS, CHI, FNS, and F6H) involved in flavonoid synthesis after 5 days of EPS treatment. Moreover, the expression of GA2ox and CYP707A—genes involved in gibberellin acid (GA) and abscisic acid biosynthesis (ABA), respectively— were significantly up-regulated. The expression levels of certain transcription factors, including MYB3, MYB8, and MYB13, were also significantly higher than in controls. Our results indicated that EPS was a main active elicitor involved in promoting flavonoid production in S. baicalensis calli. We postulated that EPS might stimulate the expression of MYB3, MYB8, MYB13, GA2ox, and CYP707A, leading to markedly upregulated CHS, CHI, FNS, and F6H expression levels, ultimately promoting flavonoid synthesis. This study provides a novel avenue for large-scale in vitro production of flavonoids in S. baicalensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is the main abiotic agent for growth limiters and crop production. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of chitosan and salicylic acid on morphological and physiological parameters and fatty acids content under drought stress. The first factor was drought stress levels (Field capacity (F.C), 70% of F.C and 40% of F.C), the second factor was elicitors (control (C), 0.5 mM salicylic acid, 1 mM salicylic acid, 100 mg/L chitosan and 200 mg/L chitosan) and the third factor was sampling times (3, 7, 14, 21 days after drought stress) with three replications. According to the results, comparing the three drought stress levels, severe stress treatment (40% F.C) significantly reduced the growth traits of milk thistle. Foliar application of chitosan and salicylic acid significantly compensated for the reduction of growth traits in plants under drought stress, in which chitosan frequently had higher growth and tolerance than salicylic acid. The role of elicitors in reducing the stress negative effects on plant growth is often due to stimulating chlorophylls, reducing hydrogen peroxide levels, and production of antioxidant enzymes. In our findings, chitosan demonstrated an increase of 28.4, 10, and 8% in relative water content (RWC), chlorophylls, and catalase activity, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, salicylic acid revealed an increase of 29.3, 4, and 2% in the same parameters compared to the control. Besides, hydrogen peroxide in plants treated with chitosan and salicylic acid decreased by 20 and 15%, respectively. Besides, drought stress significantly reduced the predominant fatty acids in the seed, which elicitor application reduced the effect of stress slightly. Chitosan had a higher effect than salicylic acid in increasing fatty acids content. Foliar application of CHT and SA increased plant tolerance under drought stress. A comparison of two elicitors showed that CHT had a clear effect on plant development and amplification of defense systems against SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plumbago indica L. contains a valuable bioactive compound called plumbagin. Elicited regenerated shoots grown in vitro could be another source of high-yielding plumbagin. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of elicitor type and concentration, as well as elicitation period, on plumbagin content in in vitro-regenerated shoots of P. indica. Nodal explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1 mg/L benzyladenine (BA) in combination with 0–150 mg/L yeast extract or 50–150 µM salicylic acid for four weeks. Plumbagin levels of 3.88 ± 0.38% and 3.81 ± 0.37% w/w g dry extract were achieved from the 50 and 100 mg/L yeast extract-elicited shoots, which were higher than the value obtained for the control. However, the addition of salicylic acid did not increase the plumbagin content. In the elicitation period experiment, nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BA and 50 mg/L yeast extract for durations of three, four and five weeks. The 4-week yeast extract-elicited shoot had a maximum plumbagin content of 3.22 ± 0.12% w/w g dry extract, greater than that of the control. In summary, the plumbagin content of the in vitro P. indica shoots was enhanced by 4-week elicitation using 50 mg/L yeast extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Arachidonic acid (AA) is an oomycete-derived microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) capable of eliciting robust defense responses and inducing resistance in plants. Similarly, Ascophylum nodosum extract (ANE) from the brown seaweed A. nodosum, a plant biostimulant that contains AA, can also prime plants for defense against pathogen challenges. A previous parallel study comparing the transcriptomes of AA- and ANE-root-treated tomatoes demonstrated significant overlap in transcriptional profiles, a shared induced resistance phenotype, and changes in the accumulation of various defense-related phytohormones. In this work, untargeted metabolomic analysis via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted to investigate the local and systemic metabolome-wide remodeling events elicited by AA and ANE root treatment in tomatoes. Our study demonstrated AA and ANEs capacity to locally and systemically alter the metabolome of tomatoes with enrichment of chemical classes and accumulation of metabolites associated with defense-related secondary metabolism. AA- and ANE-root-treated plants showed enrichment of fatty acyl-glycosides and strong modulation of hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives. Identification of specific metabolites whose accumulation was affected by AA and ANE treatment revealed shared metabolic changes related to ligno-suberin biosynthesis and the synthesis of phenolic compounds. This study highlights the extensive local and systemic metabolic changes in tomatoes induced by treatment with a fatty acid MAMP and a seaweed-derived plant biostimulant with implications for induced resistance and crop improvement.

The demand for economically valuable terpenoid-derived compounds, especially those extracted from patchouli plants, is experiencing exponential growth. These compounds are potentially applied in a wide range of industrial sectors including food manufacturing, perfumeries, and pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, there is a need for further development in patchouli plant cultivation to align with market demands. Therefore, employing robust in vitro-based propagation methods could offer significant advantages. Furthermore, this technique is also used for plant metabolites enhancement. This strategy applies the methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitor to boost the production of secondary metabolites. In Indonesia, patchouli var. Sidikalang is extensively cultivated in many areas. This study aims to evaluate the effect of naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) to increase plant growth via in vitro culture. Furthermore, we also investigate the effect of MeJA on the metabolite profiles and on the AACT gene expression. Our findings revealed that the combination of 2.5 µM of BAP and 0.25 µM of NAA resulted in optimal growth and high rate of organogenesis across all growth parameters. Our data also successfully identified 50 dominant compounds, each with varying percentage areas. Notably, patchouli alcohol emerged as the primary compound in the tricyclic sesquiterpene group, consistently present in all treatment groups. Furthermore, the expression of the PatAACT gene significantly increased by 7.42-fold after treatment with MeJA at 100 µM and by 2,9-fold after treatment with MeJA at 300 µM, compared to the control. Altogether, our findings might offer new insight in P. cablin propagation and new strategy for patchouli-derived metabolites using exogenous MeJA.

Abstract Background Seaweeds contain a widespread range of fatty acids (FA), and several of them have potential bioactivity. FAs are dynamic members of all biota, as well as being acknowledged for their critical function in initiating phytohormone interactions and acting as important participants in many defense signalling pathways of the plant system. The current study looks at the defense-eliciting potentials of fatty acids from the green seaweed Chaetomorpha antennina (Bory) Kützing and their impact on the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera litura (Fab). Results The seaweed was detected with 19 fatty acids, with larger proportion of hexa and octadecanoic and linoleic acids. The algal fatty acid compounds (CFA) were successful in eliciting salicylic acid and phenolic compounds biosynthesis along with defense enzymes peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). CFA enhanced the synthesis of defense enzymes, PO and PPO and phenols, post infestation with S. litura (> 50%) compared to control plants exposed to the pest. CFA was also effective in causing direct mortalities (96–98%) to the larvae (II-V instars). S. litura larvae exposed to elicited tomato plants displayed physiological incursions that extended larval-pupal duration to 26–28 days, preventing both morphogenetic transitions as well as affecting their morphology, that lead to the emergence of adults with malformed wings, legs. As a consequence, the fecundity was reduced by 60% affecting the reproductive performances of second-generation adults. The consumption rate (RCR) of larvae exposed to CFA was decreased by 84%, depicting feeding deterrence. These larvae were also observed with > 50% reduction in the levels of phosphatase enzyme secretion, bringing down larval growth rate from 0.58 to 0.34 mg/day. Histological analysis of exposed larvae displayed midgut cell disruption. Conclusion Hence, the study finally confirms the elicitor potentials of fatty acid compounds from C. antennina, by inducing natural systemic defenses. This investigation unlocks novel forecasts besides delivering an unconventional method for crop protection to moderate or interchange the solicitation of chemical pesticides. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Medicinal plants are rich sources for treating various diseases due their bioactive secondary metabolites. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the medicinal plants traditionally used in human nutrition and medicine which contains an active substance, called diosgenin, with anticancer properties. Biosynthesis of this important anticancer compound in fenugreek can be enhanced using eliciting agents which involves in manipulation of metabolite and biochemical pathways stimulating defense responses. Methyl jasmonate elicitor was used to increase diosgenin biosynthesis in fenugreek plants. However, the molecular mechanism and gene expression profiles underlying diosgening accumulation remain unexplored. In the current study we performed an extensive analysis of publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets to elucidate the biosynthesis and expression profile of fenugreek plants treated with methyl jasmonate. For this purpose, seven read datasets of methyl jasmonate treated plants were obtained that were covering several post-treatment time points (6–120 h). Transcriptomics analysis revealed upregulation of several key genes involved in diosgenein biosynthetic pathway including Squalene synthase (SQS) as the first committed step in diosgenin biosynthesis as well as Squalene Epoxidase (SEP) and Cycloartenol Synthase (CAS) upon methyl jasmonate application. Bioinformatics analysis, including gene ontology enrichment and pathway analysis, further supported the involvement of these genes in diosgenin biosynthesis. The bioinformatics analysis led to a comprehensive validation, with expression profiling across three different fenugreek populations treated with the same methyl jasmonate application. Initially, key genes like SQS, SEP, and CAS showed upregulation, followed by later upregulation of Δ24, suggesting dynamic pathway regulation. Real-time PCR confirmed consistent upregulation of SQS and SEP, peaking at 72 h. Additionally, candidate genes Δ24 and SMT1 highlighted roles in directing metabolic flux towards diosgenin biosynthesis. This integrated approach validates the bioinformatics findings and elucidates fenugreek’s molecular response to methyl jasmonate elicitation, offering insights for enhancing diosgenin yield. The assembled transcripts and gene expression profiles are deposited in the Zenodo open repository at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8155183 .

Abstract Phytophthora are destructive plant pathogens that pose a serious threat to crop production. Traditional control methods rely heavily on chemical fungicides, which are harmful to the environment and human health. Currently, effective green prevention and control methods for Phytophthora pathogens are lacking. Plants rely primarily on their innate immune system to resist pathogens. Plant cells perceive pathogen invasion and activate immune responses by recognizing specific pathogen-derived molecules, called elicitors, which mainly include pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and microbial effector proteins. PAMPs, which are conserved molecular features of microbes and recognized by plant cell surface-localized pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), activate mild and broad-spectrum disease resistance. However, there are few reports on elicitor proteins that induce broad resistance against Phytophthora pathogens. In this study, we identified BcIEB1, a fungal-derived PAMP, which activated plant immune responses in a BAK1- and SOBIR1-dependent manner. BcIEB1 could induce plant resistance to various Phytophthora pathogens, including P. capsici, P. infestans, and P. parasitica. We further found that the combination of lower concentrations of BcIEB1 with fungicides, such as pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin, and metalaxyl-M, could enhance the effect on Phytophthora disease control while reducing the dependence on fungicides, thereby reducing environmental pollution. This study identified a novel, less toxic strategy for controlling Phytophthora diseases.

Abstract Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale L.) belonging to the Papaveraceae family, has the capacity to synthesize a wide range of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of green and chemical copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) elicitors on oxidative stress and the BIAs biosynthesis pathway in the cell suspension culture of P. orientale. This research shows that both green and chemical CuO NPs at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L, induce oxidative stress in the cell suspension of P. orientale by increasing the production of H2O2 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The comparison of treatments revealed that utilizing a lower concentration of CuO NPs (20 mg/L) and extending the duration of cell suspension incubation (up to 48 h) play a more influential role in inducing the expression of the BIAs biosynthesis pathway genes (PsWRKY, TYDC, SalSyn, SalR, SalAT, T6ODM, COR and CODM) and increasing the production of morphinan alkaloids (thebaine, codeine, and morphine). The overarching results indicate that the concentration of CuO NPs and the duration of cell treatment have a more significant impact than the nature of CuO NPs in inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the expression of the BIAs pathway genes.

The gene family of thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) plays a crucial role in the adaptation of organisms to environmental stresses. In recent years, fungal secreted proteins (SP) with inducing disease resistance activity in plants have emerged as important elicitors in the control of fungal diseases. Identifying SPs with inducing disease resistance activity and studying their mechanisms are crucial for controlling sheath blight. In the present study, 10 proteins containing the thaumatin-like domain were identified in strain AG4-JY of Rhizoctonia solani and eight of the 10 proteins had signal peptides. Analysis of the TLP genes of the 10 different anastomosis groups (AGs) showed that the evolutionary relationship of the TLP gene was consistent with that between different AGs of R. solani. Furthermore, it was found that RsTLP3, RsTLP9 and RsTLP10 were regarded as secreted proteins for their signaling peptides exhibited secretory activity. Prokaryotic expression and enzyme activity analysis revealed that the three secreted proteins possess glycoside hydrolase activity, suggesting they belong to the TLP family. Additionally, spraying the crude enzyme solution of the three TLP proteins could enhance maize resistance to sheath blight. Further analysis showed that genes associated with the salicylic acid and ethylene pathways were up-regulated following RsTLP3 application. The results indicated that RsTLP3 had a good application prospect in biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation has become famous for removing particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in situ. Plants for removing PM and VOC were associated with botanical biofilters to attract pollution to the plant. On the other hand, persistent pollution exposure can lower plant health and phytoremediation effectiveness; therefore, improving plant tolerance against stress is necessary. Various elicitors can enhance plant tolerance to certain stressors. This study aims to investigate different elicitors to maintain plant health and improve the use of plants in phytoremediation for PM and VOC pollution. This experiment used Sansevieria trifasciata hort. ex Prain under PM and VOC stress. Exogenous elicitors, such as proline, ornithine, and a commercial product, were applied to the leaf parts before exposure to PM and VOC stress. The initial concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were 300–350, 350–450, and 400–500 µg m−3, respectively, while the VOC concentration was 2.5–3.0 mg m−3. The plant was stressed for 7 days. The result indicated that ornithine 10 mM is vital in improving plant tolerance and inducing antioxidant enzymes against PM and VOC, while proline 50 mM and a commercial product could not reduce plant stress. This study suggests that ornithine might be an important metabolite to improve plant tolerance to PM and VOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seaweeds contain a widespread range of fatty acids (FA), and several of them have potential bioactivity. FAs are dynamic members of all biota, as well as being acknowledged for their critical function in initiating phytohormone interactions and acting as important participants in many defense signalling pathways of the plant system. The current study looks at the defense-eliciting potentials of fatty acids from the green seaweed Chaetomorpha antennina (Bory) Kützing and their impact on the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera litura (Fab). Results: The seaweed was detected with 19 fatty acids, with larger proportion of hexa and octadecanoic and linoleic acids. The algal fatty acid compounds (CFA) were successful in eliciting salicylic acid and phenolic compounds biosynthesis along with defense enzymes peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). CFA enhanced the synthesis of defense enzymes, PO and PPO and phenols, post infestation with S. litura (> 50%) compared to control plants exposed to the pest. CFA was also effective in causing direct mortalities (96–98%) to the larvae (II-V instars). S. litura larvae exposed to elicited tomato plants displayed physiological incursions that extended larval-pupal duration to 26–28 days, preventing both morphogenetic transitions as well as affecting their morphology, that lead to the emergence of adults with malformed wings, legs. As a consequence, the fecundity was reduced by 60% affecting the reproductive performances of second-generation adults. The consumption rate (RCR) of larvae exposed to CFA was decreased by 84%, depicting feeding deterrence. These larvae were also observed with > 50% reduction in the levels of phosphatase enzyme secretion, bringing down larval growth rate from 0.58 to 0.34 mg/day. Histological analysis of exposed larvae displayed midgut cell disruption. Conclusion: Hence, the study finally confirms the elicitor potentials of fatty acid compounds from C. antennina, by inducing natural systemic defenses. This investigation unlocks novel forecasts besides delivering an unconventional method for crop protection to moderate or interchange the solicitation of chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydrochalcones (DHCs) constitute a specific class of flavonoids widely known for their various health-related advantages. Melatonin (MLT) has received attention worldwide as a master regulator in plants, but its roles in DHC accumulation remain unclear. Herein, the elicitation impacts of MLT on DHC biosynthesis were examined in Lithocarpus litseifolius, a valuable medicinal plant famous for its sweet flavor and anti-diabetes effect. Compared to the control, the foliar application of MLT significantly increased total flavonoid and DHC (phlorizin, trilobatin, and phloretin) levels in L. litseifolius leaves, especially when 100 μM MLT was utilized for 14 days. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities were boosted after MLT treatments, resulting in a decrease in the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Remarkably, MLT triggered the biosynthesis of numerous phytohormones linked to secondary metabolism (salicylic acid, methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), and ethylene), while reducing free JA contents in L. litseifolius. Additionally, the flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme activities were enhanced by the MLT in leaves. Multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RNA-seq might play a crucial role in MLT-elicited pathways, particularly those associated with the antioxidant system (SOD, CAT, and POD), transcription factor regulation (MYBs and bHLHs), and DHC metabolism (4CL, C4H, UGT71K1, and UGT88A1). As a result, MLT enhanced DHC accumulation in L. litseifolius leaves, primarily by modulating the antioxidant activity and co-regulating the physiological, hormonal, and transcriptional pathways of DHC metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study monitored the growth, biochemical, and developmental responses of Datura seedlings to the cold plasma. The effectiveness of different methods was explored to break seed dormancy. Germinating seeds were exposed to corona discharge plasma for different durations, including 0, 60, 120, 180, and 300 s. A procedure consisting of illumination with a red light (20 min), soaking in water (4°C for 48 h), and removing a part of Testa was the best method for breaking seed dormancy. The plasma treatments of 60, 120, and 180 s improved the plant growth performance, while this trait was declined in response to the plasma treatment of 300 s. The proline concentrations in both root and leaves displayed a linear significant upward trend in response to the plasma treatments. The plasma for 180 s was the most effective method to increase tropane alkaloids. With increasing the exposure time from 60 to 300 s, the leaf soluble phenols were linearly enhanced. The plasma application for 60, 120, and 180 s significantly augmented total protein concentration, while the exposure of seeds for 300 s significantly diminished it. The highest amounts of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) were recorded in the seedlings treated with plasma for 120 and 180 s. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and peroxidase) showed a similar upward trend to that of proline. The plasma priming also improved the phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity (a secondary metabolism index). Further investigations are needed to optimize plasma parameters and understand the involved mechanisms to maximize its benefits while minimizing potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are rich sources for treating various diseases due their bioactive secondary metabolites. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is one of the medicinal plants traditionally used in human nutrition and medicine which contains an active substance, called diosgenin, with anticancer properties. Biosynthesis of this important anticancer compound in fenugreek can be enhanced using eliciting agents which involves in manipulation of metabolite and biochemical pathways stimulating defense responses. Methyl jasmonate elicitor was used to increase diosgenin biosynthesis in fenugreek plants. However, the molecular mechanism and gene expression profiles underlying diosgening accumulation remain unexplored. In the current study we performed an extensive analysis of publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets to elucidate the biosynthesis and expression profile of fenugreek plants treated with methyl jasmonate. For this purpose, seven read datasets of methyl jasmonate treated plants were obtained that were covering several post-treatment time points (6–120 h). Transcriptomics analysis revealed upregulation of several key genes involved in diosgenein biosynthetic pathway including Squalene synthase (SQS) as the first committed step in diosgenin biosynthesis as well as Squalene Epoxidase (SEP) and Cycloartenol Synthase (CAS) upon methyl jasmonate application. Bioinformatics analysis, including gene ontology enrichment and pathway analysis, further supported the involvement of these genes in diosgenin biosynthesis. The bioinformatics analysis led to a comprehensive validation, with expression profiling across three different fenugreek populations treated with the same methyl jasmonate application. Initially, key genes like SQS, SEP, and CAS showed upregulation, followed by later upregulation of Δ24, suggesting dynamic pathway regulation. Real-time PCR confirmed consistent upregulation of SQS and SEP, peaking at 72 h. Additionally, candidate genes Δ24 and SMT1 highlighted roles in directing metabolic flux towards diosgenin biosynthesis. This integrated approach validates the bioinformatics findings and elucidates fenugreek's molecular response to methyl jasmonate elicitation, offering insights for enhancing diosgenin yield. The assembled transcripts and gene expression profiles are deposited in the Zenodo open repository at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8155183. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of foliar application of methyl jasmonate and methyl jasmonate plus urea on the amino acids content of Tempranillo grapes were evaluated during two seasons (2019 and 2020). In 2019, the foliar treatments favored an increase in ammonium nitrogen (N), amino N and yeast assimilable N when compared to the control grapes; whereas, in 2020, treatments did not affect N parameters in grapes. In 2019, foliar application of both treatments was effective in improving amino acids content in grapes, being significantly higher the effect of methyl jasmonate plus urea treatment than methyl jasmonate treatment. However, in 2020, the effect of both treatments on amino acid content was minor. The different effect among seasons could be explained by environmental conditions and by the differences in N content in grapevines. A multifactorial analysis and discriminant study were carried out, showing that both treatments enhanced amino acid content in grapes. The effect of methyl jasmonate plus urea was stronger than the effect of methyl jasmonate treatment. Also, a great effect of season on amino acids composition was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) produced in opium poppy have been evidenced to heal patients suffering from various diseases. They, therefore, hold an integral position in the herbal drug industry. Despite the adoption of several approaches for the large-scale production of BIAs, opium poppy remains the only platform in this purpose. The only disadvantage associated with producing BIAs in the plant is their small quantity. Thus, recruiting strategies that boost their levels is deemed necessary. All the methods which have been employed so far are just able to enhance a maximum of two BIAs. Thus, if these methods are utilized, a sizable amount of time and budget must be spent on the synthesis of all BIAs. Hence, the exploitation of strategies which increase the content of all BIAs at the same time is more commercially effective and timesaving, avoiding the laborious step of resolving the biosynthetic pathway of each compound. Exposure to biotic and abiotic elicitors, development of a synthetic auto-tetraploid, overexpression of a WRKY transcription factor, formation of an artificial metabolon, and suppression of a gene in the shikimate pathway and miRNA are strategies that turn opium poppy into a versatile bioreactor for the concurrent and massive production of BIAs. The last three strategies have never been applied for BIA biosynthetic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to increase the growth, production and quality of edamame need to pay attention to aspects of pests and diseases as well as the nutrients needed by edamame plants. This research aims to determine the potential of elicitors and KNO3- on the growth, production and quality of edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr). This research used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of two factors, namely elicitor concentration and KNO3. The elicitor consists of 5 levels, namely E0 (0 ml/l), E1 (10 ml/l), E2 (20 ml/l), E3 (30 ml/l) and E4 (40 ml/l). KNO3- consists of 5 levels, namely K0 (0g/l), K1 (2g/l), K2 (4g/l), K3 (6g/l) and K4 (8g/l). The results of this study indicate that administering the elicitor has no effect on all the variables observed. Giving a concentration of 8 g/l KNO3- increased stem diameter, leaf area, shoot dry weight, number of root nodules and sweetness levels in edamame plants compared to other KNO3- concentration treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Phytophthora are destructive plant pathogens that pose a serious threat to crop production. Traditional control methods rely heavily on chemical fungicides, which are harmful to the environment and human health. Currently, effective green prevention and control methods for Phytophthora pathogens are lacking. Plants rely primarily on their innate immune system to resist pathogens. Plant cells perceive pathogen invasion and activate immune responses by recognizing specific pathogen-derived molecules, called elicitors, which mainly include pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and microbial effector proteins. PAMPs, which are conserved molecular features of microbes and recognized by plant cell surface-localized pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), activate mild and broad-spectrum disease resistance. However, there are few reports on elicitor proteins that induce broad resistance against Phytophthora pathogens. In this study, we identified BcIEB1, a fungal-derived PAMP, which activated plant immune responses in a BAK1- and SOBIR1-dependent manner. BcIEB1 could induce plant resistance to various Phytophthora pathogens, including P. capsici, P. infestans, and P. parasitica. We further found that the combination of lower concentrations of BcIEB1 with fungicides, such as pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin, and metalaxyl-M, could enhance the effect on Phytophthora disease control while reducing the dependence on fungicides, thereby reducing environmental pollution. This study identified a novel, less toxic strategy for controlling Phytophthora diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale L.) belonging to the Papaveraceae family, has the capacity to synthesize a wide range of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of green and chemical copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) elicitors on oxidative stress and the BIAs biosynthesis pathway in the cell suspension culture of P. orientale. This research shows that both green and chemical CuO NPs at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L, induce oxidative stress in the cell suspension of P. orientale by increasing the production of H2O2 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The comparison of treatments revealed that utilizing a lower concentration of CuO NPs (20 mg/L) and extending the duration of cell suspension incubation (up to 48 h) play a more influential role in inducing the expression of the BIAs biosynthesis pathway genes (PsWRKY, TYDC, SalSyn, SalR, SalAT, T6ODM, COR and CODM) and increasing the production of morphinan alkaloids (thebaine, codeine, and morphine). The overarching results indicate that the concentration of CuO NPs and the duration of cell treatment have a more significant impact than the nature of CuO NPs in inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the expression of the BIAs pathway genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant pigments, including betalains, have drawn both scientific and economic interest. However, the molecular basis behind its synthesis and catabolism is not entirely understood. In this sense, transcription analysis largely improves our understanding, but it is essential to select optimal reference genes. Thus, the present study aimed (i) to investigate the stability of a set (10) of candidate reference genes, including ABCG18 (ABC-2 transporter), ACS (ACT domain), ACTIN (Actin), AUX1 (transmembrane protein), DDF2 (DNA interase), GAPCP-1 (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), UBC4 (Ubiquitin 4), RP (Ribosomal protein), TH7 (Thioredoxin 7), and UBQ (Ubiquitin) genes in Alternanthera sessilis and Alternanthera philoxeroides and (ii) to evaluate the expression of key genes that code for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis pathway of betalamic pigments in plants elicited with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). For this, these plants were first established and multiplied in vitro and then transfer to the continuous flow hydroponic system with Hoagland solution (control plants) or Hoagland solution plus 100 µM MeJA. Comprehensive analysis showed that the most stable genes for RT-qPCR studies were GAPCP-1 and ACS for A. sessilis and TH7 and AUX1 for A. philoxeroides. Conversely, TH7 and DDF2 were not suitable reference genes in A. sessilis and UBC4 and RP for A. philoxeroides. Additionally, the regulation of genes involved in betalamic pigment biosynthesis pathway responds differently in the two congeneric species when treated with MeJA (100 µM) for 48 h, with a pronounced increase in the expression of the Corismate mutase, Cytochrome CYP76AD1, and DOPA 4,5- dioxygenase genes in A. phyloxeroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peach (Prunus persica L.) is one of the most important stone-fruit crops worldwide. Nevertheless, successful peach fruit production is seriously reduced by losses due to Monilinia fructicola the causal agent of brown rot. Chitosan has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties and may also act as an elicitor that activate defense responses in plants. As little is known about the elicitation potential of chitosan in peach fruits and its impact at their transcriptional-level profiles, the aim of this study was to uncover using RNA-seq the induced responses regulated by the action of chitosan in fruit–chitosan–M. fructicola interaction. Samples were obtained from fruits treated with chitosan or inoculated with M. fructicola, as well from fruits pre-treated with chitosan and thereafter inoculated with the fungus. Chitosan was found to delay the postharvest decay of fruits, and expression profiles showed that its defense-priming effects were mainly evident after the pathogen challenge, driven particularly by modulations of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to cell-wall modifications, pathogen perception, and signal transduction, preventing the spread of fungus. In contrast, as the compatible interaction of fruits with M. fructicola was challenged, a shift towards defense responses was triggered with a delay, which was insufficient to limit fungal expansion, whereas DEGs involved in particular processes have facilitated early pathogen colonization. Physiological indicators of peach fruits were also measured. Additionally, expression profiles of particular M. fructicola genes highlight the direct antimicrobial activity of chitosan against the fungus. Overall, the results clarify the possible mechanisms of chitosan-mediated tolerance to M. fructicola and set new foundations for the potential employment of chitosan in the control of brown rot in peaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State Belgium for the pesticide active substance Pythium oligandrum strain B301 and the considerations as regards the inclusion of the substance in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of Pythium oligandrum strain B301 as a resistance inducer/elicitor to control trunk diseases on grapevines. The reliable endpoints, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.

Background: Cell suspension culture and elicitation have been playing an important role in the synthesis of active secondary metabolites. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is one of the active compounds found in lavender essential oil that stands out due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Objective: This research was conducted to investigate the production efficiency of RA in Lavandula angustifolia suspension culture through elicitation with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and yeast extract (YE). Methods: Cell suspension culture established in B5 liquid media supplemented with different combinations of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs). The influence of different PGRs treatments on cell growth and accumulation of RA were analyzed. Then the effect of concentration and time course of elicitation with YE (0.1, 0.5, and 1 g/l after 1, 3 and, 6 days of elicitation) and MeJA (50, 100 and 200 µM after 1, 2 and 3 days of elicitation) separately and in combination with each other on cell growth and intracellular and extracellular content of RA were investigated. Results: HPLC analysis showed that the highest intracellular RA content (17.03 mg/g dry weight) was observed 24 hours after the addition of 50 µM MeJA in combination with 1 g/l YE, which was approximately 33% higher than that found in leaves. Furthermore, it was 9 and 11 times higher than cultures treated with MeJA and YE alone, respectively. In addition, both elicitors significantly affected the extracellular quantity of RA than control. Conclusion: Our results documented that the application of elicitors increased biomass and RA accumulation in L. angustifolia suspension cells.

This study assessed the efficacy of chitosan, methyl jasmonate, and silicon in the reduction of disease severity and the induction of defense responses in common bean plants against angular leaf spot caused by Pseudocercospora griseola. The expression level of several pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, PR1, PR2 (β-1,3-glucanase), and PR3 (chitinase), and defense-related enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and lipoxygenase, was analyzed at different time points in common bean plants after different treatments. Elicitor treatments significantly reduced disease severity 21 days after inoculation, with silicon at a 2 mM concentration proving most effective with 38.93% disease control, followed by 1 mM MeJA and 2% chitosan, respectively. Treatments with chitosan, methyl jasmonate, and silicon, regardless of pathogen infection, significantly elevated PR1, PR2, and PR3 gene expressions at 48 h after inoculation (hpi). PAL and POD activities were similarly increased following elicitor treatments and pathogen infection, especially at 48 hpi. Chemical elicitors applied post-inoculation induced PR proteins, PAL, and POD enzyme activities at 48 hpi, while LOX activity exhibited a variable fluctuation with treatments. These findings suggested that chemical elicitors, especially silicon, were effective in reducing ALS disease severity in common beans, with improved resistance associated with the expression of pathogen-responsive genes. This study is the first to analyze the expression profiles of defense-related genes in common beans treated with chemical elicitors prior to P. griseola infection.