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Cytophysiological manifestations of wheat’s defense reactions against stem rust induced by the biofungicide Novochizol

Summary

Novochizol, a new type of chitosan-based treatment, helps wheat plants defend themselves against stem rust by triggering natural immune responses. When wheat seedlings are treated with Novochizol four days before rust infection, the plants accumulate protective molecules like hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds that kill many of the rust fungus colonies before they can spread. This reduces disease damage by 50-55% compared to untreated plants, offering a promising biological alternative to synthetic fungicides.

Background

Biologization of agriculture through chitosan-based biopreparations is an important approach to crop protection. Novochizol is a novel chitosan derivative with globular structure obtained through intramolecular crosslinking of linear chitosan molecules. While Novochizol has shown growth-stimulating effects on wheat, its mechanisms of induced resistance against rust diseases have not been previously studied.

Objective

To investigate the cytophysiological defense mechanisms of susceptible wheat variety Novosibirskaya 29 against stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) when pretreated with Novochizol, including the roles of reactive oxygen species and phenolic compounds.

Results

Novochizol treatment at 0.75% concentration reduced pustule density by 2.2-fold and colony area by 1.5-fold compared to controls. The preparation stimulated intensive H2O2 accumulation within 48 hours post-inoculation, particularly in stomatal guard cells and mesophyll areas. Novochizol induced earlier and more intensive phenol accumulation in infection zones, with a shift toward syringin derivatives (green fluorescence). Approximately 22% of colonies aborted before sporulation, though Novochizol did not induce typical hypersensitive reaction.

Conclusion

Novochizol acts as a resistance inducer against wheat stem rust through multiple defense mechanisms including ROS accumulation and phenolic compound synthesis, without directly affecting pathogen development on leaf surface. The preparation induced partial death of pathogen colonies and significantly reduced disease development, demonstrating dose-dependent effects with optimal results at 0.125% and 0.75% concentrations.
  • Published in:Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii (Vavilov Journal of Genetics and Breeding),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.18699/vjgb-25-57; PMID: 40697939
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