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POSTERS: Plant Defense Responses I

P-517 - Activation of Pathogenesis Related Genes through BTH Application: A Novel Approach to Suppress Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Virus in Gossypium hirsutum.

Monday, August 4, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM HST
Location: Exhibit Hall 3
Abstract Text:

Cotton leaf curl disease is a significant barrier to cotton productivity. The systemic acquired resistance (SAR) mechanism can be exploited as an alternative management strategy. This study evaluated the impact of exogenous application of Benzothiadiazole (BTH) as a potential inducer of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes in suppressing Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) in Gossypium hirsutum. The expression of PR1, PR4, and PR5 genes was analyzed in response to BTH application at 2.2 mM concentration in susceptible G. hirsutum plants pre-inoculated with the virus through whitefly. The results were compared with virus-inoculated and healthy plants as controls. The expression of PR genes and viral gene components (AC1, AV1, and βC1) was quantified by qPCR at different intervals. The results showed a significant increase in PR1 and PR5 gene expression compared to controls. Conversely, the expression of all viral genes decreased significantly by BTH application. The application of BTH after virus inoculation enhanced SAR, indicating that virus infection triggered SAR, and subsequent BTH application facilitated signal transduction for PR gene expression. These findings suggest that PR genes interact with and suppress viral gene components involved in coat protein synthesis, replication, and symptom induction. Notably, exogenous BTH application was effective only when resistance was induced in the plant by the pathogen. Further research on the interaction between PR and viral proteins will provide valuable insights into the role of SAR in G. hirsutum plants against CLCuMuV.