Chemical Signals from Aspergillus cvjetkovicii: A New Frontier in Plant Disease Resistance
AGRICULTURE
8/6/2024
Researchers at the University of Western Australia have made an exciting discovery about plant defence mechanisms. Their study, published in Nature Microbiology in August 2024, reveals that the fungus Aspergillus cvjetkovicii, which naturally inhabits rice plant leaves, can dramatically enhance the plant's resistance to pathogens. This is achieved through a key signalling molecule, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), which the fungus produces. 2,4-DTBP inhibits the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani by disrupting the transcription of bZIP-activated AMT1, which is crucial for the pathogen's survival. Remarkably, this fungus and molecule also reduce disease in other crops like cucumbers, corn, soybeans, and tomatoes. Additionally, 2,4-DTBP proves effective against other rice pathogens, such as Fusarium fujikuroi. This breakthrough not only enhances our understanding of plant defence but also presents a promising new approach for managing plant diseases sustainably.
