Molecular basis of the antimicrobial activity of the floral defensin, NaD1, for the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum.

丝状真菌是许多主要植物病害的罪魁祸首，这些病害在全世界范围内造成毁灭性的农作物损失和食物变质。目前，还没有抗病品种，也没有足够的化学防治方法来防治这些疾病。这种名为NaD1的植物防御素可以阻止许多病原体的生长，包括顽固的尖孢镰刀菌和灰霉病菌，并已在温室和田间试验中证明可以保护转基因棉花免受真菌感染。NaD1在作物上持久、广谱的真菌病害防治方面具有潜在的应用前景。这将给澳大利亚带来环境和经济利益。

Filamentous fungi are responsible for many major plant diseases that result in devastating crop losses and food spoilage world wide. Currently there are no resistant cultivars or adequate chemical controls for many of these diseases. The plant defensin, NaD1, stops the growth of many pathogens, including the recalcitrant fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea, and has been shown to protect transgenic cotton against fungal infection in glasshouse and field trials. NaD1 has potential application for durable, broad spectrum fungal disease control in crops. This will lead to both environmental and economic benefits to Australia.