Transcriptional Changes in Mycorrhizal and Nonmycorrhizal Soybean Plants upon Infection with the Fungal Pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina is a soil-borne fungal pathogen with a wide host range that causes charcoal rot in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Control of the disease is a challenge, due to the absence of genetic resistance and effective chemical control. Alternative or complementary measures are needed, such as the use of biological control agents, in an integrated approach. Several studies have demonstrated the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in enhancing plant resistance or tolerance to biotic stresses, decreasing the symptoms and pressure caused by various pests and diseases, including M. phaseolina in soybean. However, the specific contribution of AMF in the regulation of the plant response to M. phaseolina remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate, under strict in-vitro culture conditions, the global transcriptional changes in roots of premycorrhized soybean plantlets challenged by M. phaseolina (+AMF+Mp) as compared with nonmycorrhizal soybean plantlets (-AMF+Mp). MapMan software was used to distinguish transcriptional changes, with special emphasis on those related to plant defense responses. Soybean genes identified as strongly upregulated during infection by the pathogen included pathogenesis-related proteins, disease-resistance proteins, transcription factors, and secondary metabolism-related genes, as well as those encoding for signaling hormones. Remarkably, the +AMF+Mp treatment displayed a lower number of upregulated genes as compared with the -AMF+Mp treatment. AMF seemed to counteract or balance costs upon M. phaseolina infection, which could be associated to a negative impact on biomass and seed production. These detailed insights in soybean-AMF interaction help us to understand the complex underlying mechanisms involved in AMF-mediated biocontrol and support the importance of preserving and stimulating the existing plant-AMF associates, via adequate agricultural practices, to optimize their agro-ecological potential.

Instituto de Patología Vegetal

Fil: Marquez, Nathalie. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.

Fil: Giachero, María Lorena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina

Fil: Gallou, Adrien. Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biológico; México.

Fil: Debat, Humberto Julio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina

Fil: Cranenbrouck, Sylvie. Université Catholique de Louvain. Earth and Life Institute. Applied Microbiology, Mycology. Mycothèque de l'Université Catholique de Louvain (MUCL). Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM); Bélgica

Fil: Di Rienzo, Julio A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Cátedra de Estadística y Biometría; Argentina

Fil: Pozo, María J. Estación Experimental del Zaidín. Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems; España

Fil: Ducasse, Daniel Adrian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina

Fil: Declerck, Stéphane. Université Catholique de Louvain. Earth and Life Institute. Applied Microbiology. Mycology. Louvain-la-Neuve; Bélgica