Vol. 82 No: 4

Title:
Benzothiadiazole- or methyl jasmonate-induced resistance to Colletotrichum musae in harvested banana fruit is related to elevated defense enzyme activities

Authors:
SHIJIANG ZHU and BAOCHENG MA

pp: 500-506

Abstract:
The ability of benzothiadiazole (BTH) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to induce disease resistance in harvested banana fruits was investigated in relation to the activities of several defense-related enzymes. Harvested banana fruit were sprayed with BTH or MeJA solution before being stored at 22°C. Disease development and the activities of six defense-related enzymes were monitored during storage. Compared with untreated fruits, BTH or MeJA treatment significantly reduced the severity of disease in non-inoculated bananas, and lesion diameters and the incidence of disease in bananas inoculated with Colletotrichum musae. The activities of the defense-related enzymes peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), β-1,3-glucanase, and chitinase were all enhanced in BTH- and in MeJA-treated banana fruit whether inoculated with the pathogen or not. The results suggest that post-harvest decay in bananas can be controlled by BTH or MeJA, and involves activation of the disease defense system. In non-inoculated bananas, MeJA and BTH had similar effects on the three defense enzymes (CAT, PPO and PAL), but different effects on the three PR proteins (POD, β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase). In inoculated bananas, MeJA and BTH had similar effects on all six enzymes.

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