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Integrated multi-omics identifies plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis as key pathways in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa) resistance to Botryosphaeria Dothidea infection

Summary

Kiwifruit can be infected by a fungus called Botryosphaeria dothidea, which causes soft rot and makes the fruit inedible. Researchers used advanced techniques to study what happens inside the fruit when infected, finding that certain plant hormones and chemical pathways become active to fight the infection. They identified two key genes that appear to control how the fruit responds to the fungus, which could help develop better ways to prevent this costly disease.

Background

Kiwifruit soft rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is a devastating postharvest disease that severely impacts fruit quality and marketability. The pathogenic mechanism of B. dothidea in kiwifruit remains unclear, limiting the development of effective control strategies. This study investigates the molecular and metabolic changes underlying kiwifruit resistance to B. dothidea infection.

Objective

To identify key genes and metabolic pathways involved in kiwifruit resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea infection using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. The study aims to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of B. dothidea and identify core regulatory factors.

Results

Obvious lesions appeared at 72 hpi with significant changes in gene expression and metabolite profiles. A total of 2780 and 5377 DEGs were identified at 72 and 120 hpi respectively, significantly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathways. The MYB transcription factor (Acc32263) and ChlH-like gene (Acc00854) were identified as key regulatory factors, with 403 metabolites detected showing significant changes in lipids and organic acids.

Conclusion

Plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways are closely associated with kiwifruit soft rot pathogenesis. The MYB transcription factor (Acc32263) and ChlH-like gene (Acc00854) play crucial regulatory roles in B. dothidea pathogenesis. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of kiwifruit soft rot and support development of effective disease control strategies.
  • Published in:BMC Plant Biology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12870-025-07480-z, PMID: 41107730
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