Exogenous salicylic acid enhanced resistance of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) to Sclerospora graminicola

To ward off pathogens, plants establish innate immunity system in which salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role. The downy mildew of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is oomycete disease caused by biotrophic pathogen Sclerospora graminicola, seriously affects the yield and quality millet. However, it not clear how SA regulating defense responses In this study, we found that spraying exogenous low concentration (1 mM 3 mM) had good effect on enhancing resistance while high (6 9 did significantly affect Excess inhibited growth development reduced plant height, fresh weight dry promoted accumulation Chlorophyll, soluble sugar proline, activity Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase suppressed Malondialdehyde. After treatment with 1 or SA, expressions genes related to were increased at early stage after treatment. results indicated could enhance against provided a basis for improving control methods mildew.