Tracking Oxidative Bursts in Tomato-Pathogen Interactions

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H_₂O_₂), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide anions (O_₂-), are central to plant stress signaling. Among these, the role of H_₂O_₂ is prominent due to its relatively stable nature and its ability to diffuse across membranes, making it an ideal candidate for intra- and intercellular signaling. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), foliar pathogens elicit a rapid oxidative burst characterized by elevated H_₂O_₂ levels. In addition to suppressing pathogens, the oxidative burst also initiates broader immune responses in the plant. Thus, assessing ROS accumulation helps researchers to analyze the progression of immune responses, evaluate the efficacy of plant resistance, and aid in distinguishing between compatible and incompatible pathogen interactions. To investigate this response, we employed a luminol-based chemiluminescence assay for sensitive and quantitative detection of extracellular H_₂O_₂, providing insight into oxidative bursts associated with plant-pathogen interactions.