Investigating the action model of the resistance enhancement induced by bacterial volatile organic compounds against in tomato fruit.

Introduction: Inducing natural resistance against pathogen infection in postharvest tomatoes is a sustainable strategy for reducing postharvest losses. The action model underlying the resistance enhancement of tomatoes induced by bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) against , however, have not been explored.

Methods: In this study, RNA-seq, metabolomics and physiological analysis were used to evaluate global change of defense response induced by VOCs in tomatoes.

Results: The application of VOCs inhibited the damage to tomatoes caused by . VOCs treatment had remarkable beneficial effects on the activities of the main defence-related enzymes, including chitinases, glucanases, peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyases. The expression of response genes involved in salicylic acid and jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signalling pathways was enhanced upon VOCs treatment. Metabolomics data demonstrated that VOC treatment triggered the accumulation of phenolic acids, including substrates in phenolic acid biosynthesis pathways, hydroxycinnamic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, and their derivatives. Transcriptomics analysis and qRT-PCR verification revealed that VOCs treatment significantly upregulates the expression of core genes related to phenolic acid biosynthesis, specifically in shikimate pathway (, , , and ) and phenylalanine metabolic pathway (, , , and ).

Discussion: Results confirmed that VOCs enhanced tomatoes postharvest resistance against by regulating defence enzyme activity, SA/JA signalling, and phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which VOCs fumigation manages postharvest grey mould in tomatoes.