Differences in the Induction of Defence Responses in Resistant and Susceptible Muskmelon Plants Infected with Colletotrichum lagenarium

Abstract

Defence reactions occurring in resistant (cv. Gankezaomi) and susceptible (cv. Ganmibao) muskmelon leaves were investigated after inoculating with Colletotrichum lagenarium. Lesion restriction in resistant cultivars was associated with the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The activity of antioxidants catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) significantly increased in both cultivars after inoculation, while levels of both CAT and POD activity were significantly higher in the resistant cultivar. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased in both cultivars after inoculation, and level of APX activity was significantly higher in the resistant cultivar. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity significantly increased in both cultivars following inoculation, but was higher in the resistant cultivar, resulting in higher levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) significantly increased in inoculated leaves of both cultivars, resulting in higher levels of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The pathogenesis-related proteins chitinase (CHT) and β-1, 3-glucanase (GLU) significantly increased following inoculation with higher activity in the resistant cultivar. These findings show that resistance of muskmelon plants against C. lagenarium is associated with the rapid accumulation of H2O2, resulting in altered cellular redox status, accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins, activation of phenylpropanoid pathway to accumulation of phenolic compounds and flavonoids.