Yeast polysaccharide affects fusaric acid content in maize root rot

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) is a significant plant pathogen impacting maize health.
• Fusaric acid (FA) is a mycotoxin produced by F. verticillioides, causing toxicity in plants.
• Developing effective strategies to mitigate plant pathogen damage is crucial for agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective action of sulfoethyl glucan (SEG) against Fusarium verticillioides infection in maize seedlings.
• To evaluate the effect of SEG on plant productivity and fusaric acid concentration.
• To elucidate the mechanism of SEG's protective action, specifically its interaction with fusaric acid.

Main Methods:

• Maize seedlings were infected with Fusarium verticillioides, with and without the addition of sulfoethyl glucan (SEG).
• Plant productivity markers and fusaric acid (FA) concentrations were assayed on the 7th and 14th days post-infection.
• Experiments included adding exogenous FA to assess SEG's adsorption capacity.

Main Results:

• SEG addition significantly increased productivity parameters in infected maize seedlings, maintaining levels comparable to non-infected plants.
• SEG treatment led to a substantial reduction in fusaric acid concentration in infected plants, decreasing it by up to 75% after 14 days.
• SEG demonstrated the ability to bind and adsorb exogenous FA, reducing its concentration by up to 60%.

Conclusions:

• Sulfoethyl glucan (SEG) effectively protects maize seedlings against Fusarium verticillioides infection.
• SEG mitigates the toxic effects of fusaric acid (FA) by binding and adsorbing it, thereby enhancing plant health and productivity.
• SEG represents a promising bio-based agent for managing plant diseases caused by F. verticillioides.