Metabolic disturbances in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) during infection with Beet necrotic yellow vein virus

Authors: Webb, Kimberly; Wintermantel, William - Bill; BROECKLING, COREY - Colorado State University; WOLFE, LISA - Colorado State University; YAO, LINXING - Colorado State University; Hladky, Laura; CLASEN CHAVEZ, FABIO - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2020
Publication Date: 7/21/2020
Citation: Webb, K.M., Wintermantel, W.M., Broeckling, C.D., Wolfe, L., Yao, L., Hladky, L.L., Clasen Chavez, F. 2020. Metabolic disturbances in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) during infection with Beet necrotic yellow vein virus. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 112. Article e101520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2020.101520.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2020.101520

Interpretive Summary: Rhizomania, caused by the virus Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is an important disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The mechanisms that mediate sugar beet resistance to BNYVV are largely unknown and identifying the metabolites associated with BNYVV infection may provide novel targets to utilize in breeding programs for enhanced resistance. The metabolic changes that occurred during susceptible and resistant BNVYY interactions were compared with healthy treatments and characterized using nontargeted metabolomic profiling. Metabolites were detected using nontargeted reversed-phase UHPLC-MS and GC-MS workflows. More than 900 compounds were detected many of which have been associated with the plant defense response.

Technical Abstract: Rhizomania, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is an economically damaging viral diseases of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Single dominant resistance (Rz) genes which reduce virus titer and disease severity in plants, have been deployed in commercial varieties to manage rhizomania in the field. However, resistance breaking isolates have been reported that overcome one of the commonly used resistance genes, Rz1, in several production regions. Because the specific genes and mechanisms that lead to resistance are unknown, having a better understanding of the sugar beet defense response to BNYVV could lead to more durable sources of rhizomania resistance. Therefore, to elucidate the mechanisms associated with resistance to BNYVV, we have performed a non-targeted metabolomic comparison of near isogenic sugar beet lines differing for rhizomania resistance, carrying either of two resistance genes (Rz1 or Rz2), or the susceptible alleles (rz1 or rz2). Primary and secondary metabolites were detected by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra pressure liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Additionally, the role of select phytohormones was characterized by targeted UPLC-MS. Clear differences in metabolites were identified in response to infection with BNYVV (regardless of strain) with fewer differences revealed by sugar beet genotype.