Overexpression of MdATG18a in apple improves resistance to Diplocarpon mali infection by enhancing antioxidant activity and salicylic acid levels

Abstract

Improving resistance to apple blotch disease Apple plants that express high levels of a gene involved in the destruction of damaged and redundant cell components demonstrate improved resistance to a serious fungal infection. Fengwang Ma and colleagues of China’s Northwest A&F University in Shaanxi examined the effect of overexpressing the gene MdATG18a on Diplocarpon mali fungal infection in apple plants. This gene was previously found to promote drought tolerance in apple plants and is known for its involvement in autophagy, an immune response to infection that removes damaged cell organelles. The researchers found that plants overexpressing MdATG18a were more resistant to developing Marssonina apple blotch disease compared to wild apple plants, most likely due to improvements in autophagy activity. The team concludes that strategies designed to induce autophagy could improve apple resistance to fungal infection.