A novel ultrahighly active plant immune inducer, ZNC, promotes potato
growth and immunity indoors and in the field
Abstract
ZNC is an ultrahighly active plant immune inducer extracted from the
endophyte Paecilomyces variotii that can promote plant growth and
enhance plant immunity. Our research aim was to further reveal the
trade-off balance between plant growth and immunity by evaluating the
mechanisms of ZNC on potato growth, yield, and priming immunity against
the oomycete Phytophthora infestans indoors and under field conditions.
ZNC sustained the balance between potato growth and resistance to
Phytophthora infestans with ultrahigh activity. It induced ROS
production, promoted plant growth, yield and quality parameters,
enhanced the expression of IAA-related genes, and increased the
absorption of N. Moreover, the flg22 and chitin signaling pathways
contributed to the ZNC-mediated defense response. Irrigation with ZNC at
one of two optimal concentrations of 1 or 10 ng/ml could enhance
resistance against potato late blight and marketable yield. Spray
application of ZNC onto potato plants significantly reduced the
occurrence of potato blight disease and greatly increased potato yield
in the field. In summary, ZNC, which is a new ultrahighly active plant
inducer, is a kind of green agricultural input with high efficiency and
low cost that has excellent potential in agricultural applications.