Brassinosteroids promote growth, fruit quality and protection against Botrytis on Fragaria x ananassa

FURIO, RAMIRO N.; SALAZAR, SERGIO M; MARTÍNEZ ZAMORA, MARTÍN G.; COLL, YAMILLET; HAEL CONRAD, VERÓNICA; DÍAZ RICCI, J.C.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2019 vol. 154 p. 801 - 810

0929-1873

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroidal compounds involved in plant growth and development. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EP24) and a brassinosteroidspirostanic analogue DI-31 (BB16) on growth promotion, defense and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria xananassa). Results showed that both BRs caused in plants an increase in the leaf greenness, the number of leaves and stolons, and the foliar area as compared to control plants. Whereas plants treated with BB16 exhibited an increase of dry weight, plants treated with EP24 did not show significant differences with respect to control plants. The effect of both BRs on the activation of a defense response was also evaluated in strawberry plants. Results obtained revealed that both BRs exert a protective effect against Botrytis cinerea. Strawberry fruits treated with both BRs also reduced the incidence of postharvest spontaneous infection due to native pathogens. It was further observed that both BRs were more effective at lower concentration (i.e. 0.1 mg l-1). When analyzing the influence of BB16 and EP24 on the quality of the postharvest fruit, it was found that the treatment with both BRs yield fruits with lower acidity, and higher content of soluble solids on the third day after treatment. In addition, lower weight loss,and higher colour quality (i.e. lightness and intensity) were observed in treated fruits as compared with control fruits. These results suggest that BRs could be usedas a new crop management strategy, and as alternative to agrochemicals.