Endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis induced resistance against tomato early blight via interplay of reactive oxygen species, iron and antioxidants

Abstract

In this study, potential of the endophytic fungus Acrophialophora jodhpurensis in induction of tomato resistance against Alternaria alternata the causal agent of early blight disease, was investigated. The obtained results revealed that colonization of tomato roots by A. jodhpurensis reduced progress of the disease caused by A. alternata on the leaves. Activity of antioxidant enzymes, phenolic contents, lignin accumulation, relative water content, cell membrane stability, accumulations of superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased, also iron ions and cell death reduced in the plants inoculated with A. jodhpurensis prior to the pathogen infection. Therefore, the beneficial root colonizing fungus A. jodhpurensis might be an appropriate candidate for plant protection against A. Alternata via induction of systemic resistance in the plant tissues, which is related to activation of various defense mechanisms.