1. Below-Ground Attack by the Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne graminicola Predisposes Rice to Blast Disease
- Author
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Tina Kyndt, Henok Yimer Zemene, Ashley Haeck, Richard Singh, David De Vleesschauwer, Simon Denil, Tim De Meyer, Monica Höfte, Kristof Demeestere, and Godelieve Gheysen
- Subjects
Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Botany ,QK1-989 - Abstract
Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast) and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola are causing two of the most important pathogenic diseases jeopardizing rice production. Here, we show that root-knot nematode infestation on rice roots leads to important above-ground changes in plant immunity gene expression, which is correlated with significantly enhanced susceptibility to blast disease. A detailed metabolic analysis of oxidative stress responses and hormonal balances demonstrates that the above-ground tissues have a disturbed oxidative stress level, with accumulation of H2O2, as well as hormonal disturbances. Moreover, double infection experiments on an oxidative stress mutant and an auxin-deficient rice line indicate that the accumulation of auxin in the above-ground tissue is at least partly responsible for the blast-promoting effect of root-knot nematode infection.
- Published
- 2017
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