Pathogen-induced systemic resistance in Ipomoea purpurea.
Ellen L Simms1, Todd J Vision2
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, Princeton University, 08544-1003, Princeton, NJ, USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Anthracnose infection in morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) can trigger defense mechanisms, but this induced resistance doesn't fully protect young leaves. High baseline resistance in plants is crucial for fitness against fungal pathogens like Colletotrichum dematium.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Plant-microbe interactions
- Ecology
Background:
- Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum dematium, affects Ipomoea purpurea.
- Plant immune responses can be induced by pathogen exposure.
- Baseline resistance varies among plant lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of induced resistance against anthracnose in Ipomoea purpurea.
- To determine if induced resistance can compensate for varying levels of baseline resistance.
- To assess the impact of anthracnose infection on plant fitness.
Main Methods:
- Infection of Ipomoea purpurea with Colletotrichum dematium isolates.
- Evaluation of induced resistance levels across different plant lines.
- Measurement of plant fitness parameters (mortality, growth rates).
Main Results:
- Anthracnose infection induced resistance in previously uninfected leaves.
- Induced resistance was effective against all fungal isolates but did not protect young leaves.
- Plant lines with higher baseline resistance exhibited greater fitness and were less affected by anthracnose.
Conclusions:
- Induced resistance is insufficient to substitute for baseline local resistance in Ipomoea purpurea.
- Higher baseline resistance contributes to increased plant fitness.
- Variations in plant defense strategies impact survival and growth rates when facing anthracnose.
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