REDUCTION OF ZEBRA CHIP INFECTION SYMPTOMS IN POTATO

<p><strong>Background</strong>: There have been few studies on the long-term effects of hydrogen peroxide and dehydroascorbate (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and DHA) on biotic stress, especially in potato plants infected with <em>Candidatus</em> Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso) that cause the Zebra chip disease, characterized by browning of the tubers, reduced productivity and anomalies in the morphology of the plant. <strong>Objective</strong>: To evaluate the long-term effects of DHA and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>treatments on the reduction of symptoms in potato plants infected with Lso. This research was realized at the INIFAP facilities at Experimental Site Metepec, Mexico State. <strong>Methodology</strong>: Single nodes were waterlogged in DHA, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, or distilled water, followed by culture in Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and microplants obtained were transplanted in greenhouse conditions. Seventy-three days after transplanting, leaf water potential (Yw), chlorophyll, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>content, and catalase activity (CAT) were determined. <strong>Results</strong>: DHA significantly increased minituber weight and chlorophyll content in the long term. It also, reduced H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> content and increased CAT in infected plants, resulting in increased minituber weight. A long-term effect of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>was observed, as it induced significant increases in stem height, shoot fresh and dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, and minituber weight.<strong> Implications:</strong> DHA and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> participated as signal molecules, triggering physiological changes promoting increases in productivity in plants infected with Lso, justifying the importance of the study of these molecules under biotic stress conditions. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Long-term effects of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>and DHA on the amelioration of symptoms of potato Zebra chip associated with Lso solanacearum were demonstrated.</p><div id="gtx-trans" style="position: absolute; left: 103px; top: 48px;"> </div>