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Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, severely affects apple (Malus domestica) quality and yield. In this study, we found that the transcription factor MdWRKY71 was significantly induced by C. fructicola infection in the GLS‐susceptible apple cultivar Royal Gala. The overexpression of MdWRKY71 in apple leaves resulted in increased susceptibility to C. fructicola, whereas RNA interference of MdWRKY71 in leaves showed the opposite phenotypes. These findings suggest that MdWRKY71 functions as a susceptibility factor for the apple—C. fructicola interaction. Furthermore, MdWRKY71 directly bound to the promoter of the salicylic acid (SA) degradation gene Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6)‐Like Oxygenase 1 (DLO1) and promoted its expression, resulting in a reduced SA level. The sensitivity of 35S:MdWRKY71 leaves to C. fructicola can be effectively alleviated by knocking down MdDLO1 expression, confirming the critical role of MdWRKY71‐mediated SA degradation via regulating MdDLO1 expression in GLS susceptibility. In summary, we identified a GLS susceptibility factor, MdWRKY71, that targets the apple SA degradation pathway to promote fungal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium spp., a necrotrophic soil‐borne pathogen, causes root rot disease on many crops. CERK1, as a typical pattern recognition receptor, has been widely studied. However, the function of CERK1 during plant–Fusarium interaction has not been well described. We determined that MdCERK1 is a susceptibility gene in the apple‐Fusarium solani (Fs) interaction, and jasmonic acid (JA) plays a crucial role in this process. MdCERK1 directly targets and phosphorylates the lipoxygenase MdLOX2.1, an enzyme initiating the JA biosynthesis, at positions Ser326 and Thr327. These phosphorylations inhibit its translocation from the cytosol to the chloroplasts, leading to a compromised JA biosynthesis. Fs upregulates MdCERK1 expression during infection. In turn, when the JA level is low, the apple MdWRKY71, a transcriptional repressor of MdCERK1, is markedly upregulated and phosphorylated at Thr99 and Thr102 residues by the MAP kinase MdMMK2. The phosphorylation of MdWRKY71 enhances its transcription inhibition on MdCERK1. Taken together, MdCERK1 plays a novel role in limiting JA biosynthesis. There seems to be an arms race between apple and Fs, in which Fs activates MdCERK1 expression to reduce the JA level, while apple senses the low JA level and activates the MdMMK2‐MdWRKY71 module to elevate JA level by inhibiting MdCERK1 expression. Summary Statement: Chitin Elicitor Receptor Kinase 1, CERK1 plays a well‐known role in plants to initiate the primary defence upon pathogens infection. In addition to this, this study discovered that apple CERK1 interacts with and phosphorylates the lipoxygenase MdLOX2.1 to block the JA biosynthesis. Moreover, the apple MMK2‐WRKY71 module negatively regulates MdCERK1 expression to maintain the JA level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valsa mali causes Valsa canker, one of the most destructive diseases on apple trees, leading to severe losses for the apple industry in China. Considering the development of fungicide resistance and the harmful effects of chemical residues, it is urgent to identify alternatives to control this disease. Trans‐cinnamic acid (t‐CA), a compound with good antibacterial, antitumour and anti‐inflammatory properties, is widely used in food, medicine and other industries. However, the antifungal activity of t‐CA against V. mali and its regulatory role in apple defence against biotic stresses are unclear. Based on a metabolomic assay, we found that Malus yunnaensis (Valsa canker‐resistant) twigs infected with V. mali dramatically accumulated t‐CA. Exogenous application of t‐CA effectively inhibited V. mali growth on potato dextrose agar. The EC50 value of t‐CA inhibiting mycelial growth was 200 μg/mL. Malus prunifolia (Valsa canker‐susceptible) leaves and twigs pretreated with t‐CA had significantly enhanced V. mali resistance. The t‐CA application increased salicylic acid but reduced jasmonic acid levels in leaves and twigs. Moreover, the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids increased in t‐CA‐treated samples. In addition, t‐CA increased the activities of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, β‐1,3‐glucanase and chitinase. These results indicate that t‐CA plays a significant role in inhibiting V. mali growth and priming apple defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]