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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sugarbeet and Potato Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261546
Title: Jasmonic acid and salicylic acid inhibit growth of three sugarbeet storage rot pathogens

Author
item Fugate, Karen
item FERRAREZE, JOCLEITA - Federal University - Brazil
item Bolton, Melvin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2011
Citation: Fugate, K.K., Ferrareze, J.P., Bolton, M.D. 2011. Jasmonic acid and salicylic acid inhibit growth of three sugarbeet storage rot pathogens [abstract.] Journal of Sugar Beet Research. 48:69.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Storage rots contribute to postharvest losses by consuming sucrose and increasing carbohydrate impurities that increase sugar loss to molasses during processing. They also increase root respiration rate, which causes additional sucrose loss and contributes to pile warming. Currently, storage rots are controlled by cooling piles and removing pile ‘hotspots’ as they develop, since low temperatures reduce the growth rate of many rot-causing organisms. Such control methods, however, require favorable weather conditions and continuous monitoring of piles, and they are limitedly effective in controlling those rot-causing fungi that are capable of growth at low temperatures. Jasmonic acid and salicyclic acid are endogenous plant hormones that have been shown to induce plant defense responses and reduce storage diseases in several crops when applied exogenously. The ability of these compounds to reduce the incidence and severity of storage diseases of sugarbeet, however, has not been previously reported. Pretreatment of sugarbeet roots with jasmonic acid or salicyclic acid reduced the severity of disease symptoms after inoculation with Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium claviforme, and Phoma betae, three common storage rot-causal organisms. Both jasmonic acid and salicyclic acid were more effective in limiting infections due to B. cinerea and P. betae, than those caused by P. claviforme. The effect of jasmonic acid and salicyclic acid on the expression of defense-related genes and the activity of defense-related enzymes is currently under investigation. Results from these ongoing investigations will be presented.