Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.P014
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, P014 (2024)
Inducing immunity in plants using beneficial microorganisms – a review
Sylwia Skazińska1*
1 Department of Phytopathology and Seed Science, University of Life Sciences in Poznan, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznan, Poland
* Corresponding author: sylwia.skazinska@up.poznan.pl
Abstract
Biotic stresses caused by pathogens and pests are the main factors limiting plant production in the world. Although chemical plant protection products significantly reduce damage to crops, their use is associated with negative effects on the environment and humans. It is also worth noting that in Europe, strategies are being implemented to limit the use of agrochemicals, which leads to a significant gap in plant disease management. Therefore, it is important to develop new, safer and environmentally friendly methods of reducing diseases. Plants are equipped with natural defense mechanisms against a wide range of pathogens. The use of technology based on plant resistance inducers can stimulate their natural immunity. Microorganisms are known to have the ability to activate defense reactions in host plants using various mechanisms, which leads to increased resistance to many pathogens. New research suggests that beneficial microorganisms trigger early events in induced systemic immunity (ISR), which include increased expression of pathogenesis-related PR genes, increased activity of defense-related substances (e.g., polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase) and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Microorganisms such as bacteria: Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., fungi: Trichoderma spp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are used as biological control agents. Research has shown, among others, that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. athrophaeus, B. cereus, Pseudomonas fluorescens are effective in reducing diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses by inducing ISR; application of Trichoderma harzianum T39 on roots induces an ISR reaction in beans against Botrytis cinerea. Moreover, it has been proven that AMFs that enter into symbiotic relationships with plant roots induce both local and systemic resistance of tomato roots to Phytophthora parasitica. Disease prevention by stimulating plant immunity using immune inducers seems to be a promising strategy for sustainable development in the future. However, it is important to test the potential side effects of inducers to ensure they are environmentally friendly. For example, it is worth investigating whether inducers influence the composition and functioning of the soil microbiome.
Keywords: induced immunity, plant protection, microorganisms
How to cite
S. Skazińska, 2024. Inducing immunity in plants using beneficial microorganisms – a review. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.P014