Molecular mechanisms by which nutrients induce disease resistance in plants

Just as humans can't survive on the fries and brownie diet alone, plants must also eat a balanced diet to maintain optimal health and enhance their immune response
.
The absorption of nutrients is necessary
for plant growth, development and reproduction.
In some cases, treatment with essential elements has been shown to induce plant disease resistance, but conclusive research on the molecular basis of this remedy is limited
.

In one of the few studies that directly investigated the mechanisms by which essential elements affect plant disease resistance, Rupali Gupta of the Polney Institute and colleagues demonstrated that nutrients activate the tomato plant's immune response
through different defense signaling pathways.

Their paper, recently published in the journal Plant Pathology, outlines the molecular modes of action of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium to minimize fungal and bacterial plant diseases
.
Through direct laboratory methods, the authors demonstrated that spray treatment with essential elements can fully activate tomatoes' immune response, including defense against gene expression, cell leakage, production of reactive oxygen species, and production of ethylene, resulting in disease resistance
.
Their results suggest that different defense signaling pathways need to induce immunity in response to different factors
.

Understanding the genetic mechanisms behind this process may provide new insights
into crop improvement.
Corresponding author Maya Bar commented: "We are excited to explore the molecular basis of this phenomenon, define another aspect of induced resistance, and provide data that will help us apply this principle to agricultural systems
in a more purposeful and replicable way.
"

The mineral nutrient-induced disease resistance principles discovered in this study can be used in agricultural practices to benefit growers/farmers and protect valuable crops
.

Journal Reference:

1. Rupali Gupta, Meirav Leibman-Markus, Gautam Anand, Dalia Rav-David, Uri Yermiyahu, Yigal Elad, Maya Bar.
   Nutrient Elements Promote Disease Resistance in Tomato by Differentially Activating Immune Pathways.
   Phytopathology® , 2022; 112 (11): 2360 DOI: 10.
   1094/PHYTO-02-22-0052-R