Analysis of silicon-induced genes related to defense system in banana

Abstract

Management of diseases in bananas, such as wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum, has not been effective in controlling the disease. Silicon (Si) can be used as an alternative practice to mitigate the disease. In several plants, Si increases resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The research aims to analyze the expression of several genes related to the defense system in banana cv. Raja sereh (AAB) plantlets induced by Si. The in-vitro banana plantlets were supplemented with three different Si concentrations (0, 1.6, and 2.4 mM) for eight weeks. Total RNA was isolated from whole plantlets using the organic extraction method. Expression analysis of AOS, ATP6V1A, PAL, PIP, PPO, PR1, WRKY33, and WRKY71 was done using the qRT-PCR with the Actin gene used as an internal control. The proline content of plantlets was also analyzed. The results showed that the banana plantlets significantly increased the proline content with the Si concentration. The WRKY33, WRKY71, AOS, and ATPV1 genes were upregulated with 1.6 mM Si treatment, then decreased at 2.4 mM Si. Meanwhile, the PAL, PIP, PPO, and PR1 genes were not upregulated with Si treatment and showed lower expression levels. Si could induce the defense system in bananas.