The fight against plant pathogens is of primary importance in agriculture, to ensure that quail/quantitative features of fruits and vegetables fit the market requirements. Synthetic products like pesticides and agrochemicals can protect plants against pathogens but they can be toxic or environmental unfriendly; therefore, the use of less toxic and less persistent products is highly encouraged. It is known that the electrolysis of water enriched in salts can produce highly reactive oxidative species, which are characterized by a short life span and a potent antimicrobial activity, even at low doses. In the last few years, our group has developed the system for the production of an electrolytically activated solution (EAS) and has been studying the beneficial microbiocidal effect of EAS on plants affected by different pathogens. Investigations have been also focused on the effects of EAS on plant cells at the molecular level, to ascertain possible prompting of plant defences against pathogens. Through a RealTime PCR approach, we found that this solution is able to stimulate endogenous defences by a rapid and strong activation of several pathogen-related genes, when sprayed on tobacco and apple plants. Repeated treatments with EAS amplify the gene induction pattern without showing phytotoxicity or stress effects. In addition, dedicated GC-MS analyses have shown that salicylic acid, one of the plant hormones involved in pathogen-resistance, is only partially involved in this phenomenon. These results show for the first time that EAS can be easily produced and used for the protection of crops against pathogens, with little impact on the environment and low costs. This solution is not simply microbiocidal but it also acts as signal molecule for the plant cells to synthesize defense proteins.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.