Plant root - fungal pathogen interactions

植物根系提供了与土壤或生长基质的重要联系，确保养分和水分的吸收和传导。许多胁迫降低根的生长，这对植物的生长和发育产生负面影响。病原真菌可严重危害根系生长。这些栖息在土壤中的生物体会穿透根部，通过产生酶和毒素而导致死亡（发病机制）。了解影响真菌致病的因素以及植物如何通过产生防御化合物来防御感染，将提供有价值的信息。所产生的信息可用于减少这些真菌对食品生产的负面影响。在这项研究中，真菌x植物x环境相互作用的三个重要方面将进行研究，以了解发病机制。1）。转基因表达如何影响胡萝卜组织的防御反应和真菌致病性？我们将评估基因编码的过氧化物酶，NPR1（信号通路调节剂）和类胡萝卜素对不同的分子，生物化学和组织细胞反应的影响。将测定PR蛋白、活性氧物质和过氧化氢以及木质素形成的水平。这将有助于确定关键的防御反应的根病原体的挑战。2）。发病机制可以通过dsRNA（真菌病毒）感染介导吗？已知双链RNA元件影响真菌毒力。本研究将研究dsRNA对胡萝卜上的秀丽隐杆线虫致病性的影响，包括对具有和不具有特异性dsRNA元件的菌株的毒力、真菌基因表达和表型的影响。这将有助于确定致病性所涉及的关键真菌参数。3）。铁如何影响胡萝卜上的真菌致病性？虽然铁是植物生长和某些真菌的必需微量营养素，但真菌对根感染的影响尚未得到充分研究。铁对真菌酶的生产，生产的主机防御化合物，并对发病机制的影响，将使用Chalara elegans，一个重要的根感染病原体进行研究。这项研究将为植物根系与病原真菌的相互作用提供有价值的见解和新的信息。

Plant roots provide a vital connection with the soil or growth substrate, ensuring uptake and conductance of nutrients and water. Many stresses reduce root growth, which negatively impacts plant growth and development. Pathogenic fungi can severely compromise root growth. These soil-inhabiting organisms penetrate roots, causing death through production of enzymes and toxins (pathogenesis). Knowledge of the factors affecting fungal pathogenesis and how plants can potentially defend against infection, via production of defense compounds, would provide valuable information. The information generated can be applied to reduce the negative impact of these fungi on food production. In this research, three important aspects of fungal x plant x environment interactions will be studied to understand pathogenesis. 1). How does transgene expression affect defense responses in carrot tissues and fungal pathogenesis ? We will evaluate effects of genes encoding peroxidase, NPR1 ( a signaling pathway modulator ) and carotenoids on different molecular, biochemical, and cellular responses in tissues. The levels of PR-proteins, active oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide, as well as lignin formation, will be determined. This will help identify the key defense responses in roots to pathogen challenge. 2). Can pathogenesis be mediated through dsRNA (mycovirus) infection ? Double-stranded RNA elements are known to affect fungal virulence. The effects of dsRNA on pathogenesis of Chalara elegans on carrot will be investigated, including the effects on virulence, fungal gene expression, and phenotype of strains with and without specific dsRNA elements. This should help identify the key fungal parameters involved in pathogenicity. 3). How does iron affect fungal pathogenesis on carrot ? While iron is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and for some fungi, effects on root infection by fungi have not been well researched. The effect of iron on fungal enzyme production, production of host defense compounds, and on pathogenesis, will be studied using Chalara elegans, an important root-infecting pathogen. The proposed research will provide valuable insight into plant root-fungal pathogen interactions and provide novel information.