The host and pathogen myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthases are required for Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA infection in tomato.

The myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) catalyses the biosynthesis of myo-inositol, an important sugar that regulates various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Here, we provide evidence that host (SlMIPS1) and pathogen (Rs_MIPS) myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) genes are required for successful infection of Rhizoctonia solani, a devastating necrotrophic fungal pathogen, in tomato. Silencing of either SlMIPS1 or Rs_MIPS prevented disease, whereas an exogenous spray of myo-inositol enhanced disease severity.

A prophage tail-like protein facilitates the endophytic growth of Burkholderia gladioli and mounting immunity in tomato.

A prophage tail-like protein (Bg_9562) of Burkholderia gladioli strain NGJ1 possesses broad-spectrum antifungal activity, and it is required for the bacterial ability to forage over fungi. Here, we analyzed whether heterologous overexpression of Bg_9562 or exogenous treatment with purified protein can impart disease tolerance in tomato. The physiological relevance of Bg_9562 during endophytic growth of NGJ1 was also investigated.

RAV1 family members function as transcriptional regulators and play a positive role in plant disease resistance.

Phytopathogens pose a severe threat to agriculture and strengthening the plant defense response is an important strategy for disease control. Here, we report that AtRAV1, an AP2 and B3 domain-containing transcription factor, is required for basal plant defense in Arabidopsis thaliana. The atrav1 mutant lines demonstrate hyper-susceptibility against fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea), whereas AtRAV1 overexpressing lines exhibit disease resistance against them.

Heterologous overexpression of PDH45 gene of pea provides tolerance against sheath blight disease and drought stress in rice.

Biotic and abiotic stress tolerant crops are required for sustainable agriculture as well as ensuring global food security. In a previous study, we have reported that heterologous overexpression of pea DNA helicase (PDH45), a DEAD-box family member protein, provides salinity stress tolerance in rice. The improved management of photosynthetic machinery and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with PDH45 mediated salinity stress tolerance.

Concurrent overexpression of rice G-protein β and γ subunits provide enhanced tolerance to sheath blight disease and abiotic stress in rice.

Our study demonstrates that simultaneous overexpression of RGB1 and RGG1 genes provides multiple stress tolerance in rice by inducing stress responsive genes and better management of ROS scavenging/photosynthetic machineries. The heterotrimeric G-proteins act as signalling molecules and modulate various cellular responses including stress tolerance in eukaryotes. The gamma (γ) subunit of rice G-protein (RGG1) was earlier reported to promote salinity stress tolerance in rice.

Silencing of tomato CTR1 provides enhanced tolerance against Tomato leaf curl virus infection.

Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) belonging to Begomovirus family of Geminivirus is known to cause one of the most destructive diseases in tomato. Amongst various ToLCVs, a monopartite Tomato leaf curl Joydebpur virus (ToLCJoV) is most prevalent in eastern part of India. In the present study, we observed induced expression of one of the negative regulators of ethylene signaling pathway gene (LeCTR1) in ToLCJoV infected plants.