Deconstructing the Molecular Events Triggered by Potassium Phosphite in Potato Plants

GUZZO ML; FELDMAN ML; DI RIENZO J; ARJEN TEN HAVE; MACHINANDIARENA MF; DALEO GR; CALDIZ DO; ANDREU AB

Congreso; 8th International World Potato Congress; 2012

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> Abstract In Argentina and other regions of the world, potato production is not possible without fungicides. Their use not only increase production costs but also generates environmental and health damage. Therefore,the search foralternative substanceswhich protectplants againstpathogenshas increased. Among them, the use of phosphites, low-toxicity compounds, has emerged. Previous results in our lab. have shown that potato plants from phosphite-treated seed tubers have increased resistance againstpathogens. Additionally, they promoted early emergency and tuber initiation, and they increased the stem number and number of tubers per plant.A protective effect againstpathogens was also observed inphophite-treated potato leaves. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphites act both increasing plant defense responses and crop yield. However it remains unknown how they act at molecular level. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these responses, the aim of the present work was to study the differential gene expression in Potassium Phosphite (KPhi) treated potato leaves by microarray analysis. This analysis has shown the differential expression of 181 genes. Among them, 69 were upregulated in treated plants and classified in different groups according to the FunCat method. These genes are shown to be involved in primary and secondary metabolism, information pathways and perception and responses to stimuli. A comprehensiveanalysis of the induced genes might lead to a better understandingof the molecular processes involved in KPhi beneficial effectsand to the development of strategies for engineering noveltraits for disease resistance and crop improvement in potato.