Harpin-inducible defense signaling components impair infection by the ascomycete Macrophomina phaseolina

Abstract Soybean ( Glycine max ) infection by the charcoal rot (CR) ascomycete Macrophomina phaseolina is enhanced by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) Heterodera glycines . We hypothesized that G. max genetic lines impairing infection by M. phaseolina would also limit H. glycines parasitism, leading to resistance. As a part of this M. phaseolina resistance process, the genetic line would express defense genes already proven to impair nematode parasitism. Using G. max [DT97-4290/PI 642055] , exhibiting partial resistance to M. phaseolina , experiments show the genetic line also impairs H. glycines parasitism. Furthermore, comparative studies show G. max [DT97-4290/PI 642055] exhibits induced expression of the effector triggered immunity (ETI) gene NON-RACE SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE 1/HARPIN INDUCED1 (NDR1/HIN1) that functions in defense to H. glycines as compared to the H. glycines and M. phaseolina susceptible line G. max [Williams 82/PI 518671] . Other defense genes that are induced in G. max [DT97-4290/PI 642055] include the pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) triggered immunity (PTI) genes ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1), NONEXPRESSOR OF PR1 (NPR1) and TGA2. These observations link G. max defense processes that impede H. glycines parasitism to also potentially function toward impairing M. phaseolina pathogenicity. Testing this hypothesis, G. max [Williams 82/PI 518671] genetically engineered to experimentally induce GmNDR1-1, EDS1-2, NPR1-2 and TGA2-1 expression leads to impaired M. phaseolina pathogenicity. In contrast, G. max [DT97-4290/PI 642055] engineered to experimentally suppress the expression of GmNDR1-1, EDS1-2, NPR1-2 and TGA2-1 by RNA interference (RNAi) enhances M. phaseolina pathogenicity. The results show components of PTI and ETI impair both nematode and M. phaseolina pathogenicity.