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The effect of size and acetylation degree of chitosan derivatives on tobacco plant protection against Phytophthora parasitica nicotianae

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Abstract

Enzymatic degradation of chitosan polymer with Pectinex Ultra SPL was used to obtain derivatives with biological potential as protective agents against Phytophthora parasitica nicotianae (Ppn) in tobacco plants. The 24 h hydrolysate showed the highest Ppn antipathogenic activity and the chitosan native polymer the lowest. The in vitro growth inhibition of several Phytophthora parasitica strains by two chitosans of different DA was compared. While less acetylated chitosan (DA 1%) fully inhibited three P. parasitica strains at the doses 500 and 1000 mg/l the second polymer (DA 36.5%) never completely inhibited such strains. When comparing two polymers of similar molecular weight and different DA, again the highest antipathogenic activity was for the less acetylated polymer. However, degraded chitosan always showed the highest pathogen growth inhibition. Additionally, a bioassay in tobacco seedlings to test plant protection against Ppn by foliar application demonstrated that partially acetylated chitosan and its hydrolysate induced systemic resistance and higher levels of glucanase activity than less acetylated chitosan. Similarly, when treatments were applied as seeds coating before planting, about 46% of plant protection was obtained using chitosan hydrolysate. It was concluded that, while less acetylated and degraded chitosan are better for direct inhibition of pathogen growth, partially acetylated and degraded chitosan are suitable to protect tobacco against P. parasitica by systemic induction of plant resistance.

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Abbreviations

DA:

Degree of acetylation

DP:

Degree of polymerization

PDA:

Potato-dextrose-agar

AcK:

Potassium acetate

PAL:

Phenyl alanine ammonio lyase

Ppn :

Phytophthora parasitica nicotianae

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Oligosacarinas, Departamento de Fisiología y Bioquímica Vegetal, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), Carretera a Tapaste, Km. 3½, San José de las Lajas, La Habana, 32700, Cuba

    Alejandro B. Falcón, Juan Carlos Cabrera & Daimy Costales

  2. Estación Experimental de Arroz “Los Palacios”, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), Carretera de la Francia Km 1½, Los Palacios, Pinar del Río, 22900, Cuba

    Miguel Angel Ramírez

  3. Escuela de Agronomía, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Campus Norte, Avenida Rudencindo Ortega, 02950, Temuco, Chile

    Gustavo Cabrera

  4. Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco, Departamento de Protección de Plantas, Carretera del Tumbadero, San Antonio de los Baños, La Habana, Cuba

    Verónica Toledo

  5. Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C, Coordinación de Tecnología de Alimentos de Origen Vegetal, Carretera a la Victoria Km. 0.6, A. P. 1735, Hermosillo, 83000, Sonora, Mexico

    Miguel Angel Martínez-Téllez

Authors
  1. Alejandro B. Falcón
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  2. Juan Carlos Cabrera
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  4. Miguel Angel Ramírez
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  5. Gustavo Cabrera
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  6. Verónica Toledo
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  7. Miguel Angel Martínez-Téllez
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Correspondence to Alejandro B. Falcón.

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Falcón, A.B., Cabrera, J.C., Costales, D. et al. The effect of size and acetylation degree of chitosan derivatives on tobacco plant protection against Phytophthora parasitica nicotianae . World J Microbiol Biotechnol 24, 103–112 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-007-9445-0

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