The role of reactive oxygen species in non-host resistance to Rhizoctonia solani.
B. KIDD (1), R. Foley (1), K. Singh (2), J. Anderson (1) (1) CSIRO, Australia; (2) CSIRO, Australia

The soil borne pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani, infects over 188 plant species including wheat, rice, potato, maize, as well as legumes and ornamentals. Despite being an important pathogen of the major cereal crops, strong genetic resistance to R. solani has not been found in commercial germplasm collections or in wild relatives. Therefore a biological understanding of how plants defend against R. solani is lacking. We have investigated the molecular basis of non-host resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to the AG8 isolate of R. solani which causes barepatch in cereals. Previous research revealed robust resistance to R. solani AG8 as mutations affecting ROS responses lead to a breakdown in non-host resistance. In particular, a double mutant of the RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGS D and F (rbohdrbohf) and a mutant in the catalytic subunit of SUCCINATE DEHYDROGENASE1 (sdh1) were susceptible to AG8.  We have explored non-host resistance further through screening of cell wall, ROS and PAMP triggered immunity associated mutants. In addition we employ the use of DAB staining and redox probes such as roGFP2 to analyse ROS production and mitochondrial redox state during early penetration resistance to R. solani.

Abstract Number: P15-428
Session Type: Poster