Involvement of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the recovery of plant health in Lotus spp.- Fusarium spp. interactions

NIEVA, A.S.; ERBAN A.; ALSINA M.L; BERNARDI LIMA N.; RUIZ O.A.; KOPKA J.

ROSARIO

Congreso; RAFV Conference 2023; 2023

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE FISIOLOGIA VEGETAL

The legume Lotus tenuis constitutes an important forage source in constrained environments due to its capacity to tolerate abiotic stress conditions, such as flooding, salinity and alkalinity. In these conditions, it establishes correlations with Fusarium species, ranging a continuum of interactions from mutualism to pathogenesis. Previous research on interactions between L. tenuis, L. japonicus and F. solani has revealed alterations in the carbon metabolism, concerning sugar mobilization. Further research revealed new interactions between Fusarium spp. and Lotus spp. including novel features in the contrasting outcome of both lotus species. The interaction between the model legume L. japonicus and F. culmorum, F. avenaceum and F. poae displayed strong pathogenic behaviours. The same group of fungi showed mild pathogenic (F. avenaceum) and recovery effects after 30 days of inoculation (F. culmorum and F. poae). We aimed to determine the dynamic of the metabolic response of L. tenuis against Fusarium spp. infection among the time, by using GC-MS approaches. The results obtained indicated changes in the carbon and nitrogen metabolism evidenced by the modification of sugars, acids and aminoacids levels, according to the Fusarium species. The interactions analyzed may indicate the increase in the use of citric and malic acid for carbon catabolism. Additionally, PLS-DA analysis showed the contribution of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine and glycine to the recovery effect of L. tenuis against F. poae and F. culmorum.Our results indicate the possibility of the use of complementary metabolites in the response to pathogenic fungi to achieve the recovery of L. tenuis against Fusarium infection. The interactions between L. tenuis and F. poae and F. culmorum may involve the mobilization of nitrogenated compounds in the success of the pathogenic response and the further recovery of the plant health status.