Eicosapolyenoic fatty acids induce defense responses and resistance to Phytophthora capsici in tomato and pepper

Phytophthora capsici is a difficult to manage broad host-range oomycete that attacks members of the Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Fabaceae. Induced resistance could complement host genetic chemical cultural strategies help mitigate diseases caused by P. capsici. The eicosapolyenoic fatty acids (EP), arachidonic (AA) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids, are common in oomycetes released from species during infection plants. EP act as elicitors, or microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), triggering dramatic changes oxylipin biochemistry various defenses tomatoes peppers. Treatment roots hydroponically-grown tomato pepper seedlings with 10 ?M induces subsequent capsici, reducing rot collapse at crowns >50%. Exposure elicits lignification within 72 h primes for an amplified response following attack Tomato seedling growth inhibited on 100–200 AA-infused media, high concentration elicitor, but feature also observed other studied MAMPs. Understanding signal-response coupling physiological costs vs. benefits EP-triggered will guide use EP-containing commercial products plant protection production systems.