P-420 - Cuticle thickness of winterberry (Ilex verticillata) fruit is altered by Diaporthe iliciola infection

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM HST

Location: Exhibit Hall 3

Author(s)

DM

Dana Martin

Research Associate
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
BM

Benedetta Mori

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
MS

Marta Sbrocca

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
EC

Emilio Corti

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
VR

Valentina Rech

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
SF

Sara Falsini

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
AP

Alessio Papini

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze, Toscana, Italy
IE

Isabel Emanuel

The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States

Presenting Author(s)

FP

Francesca Peduto Hand

Professor
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States

Abstract Text: Prior host-microbe interaction studies in the Diaporthe ilicicola-winterberry pathosystem found a higher abundance of compounds associated with cellular signaling and lipid metabolism in inoculated fruit, suggesting an induced defense response to pathogen attack. In this study, we further explored this interaction by measuring fruit cuticle thickness in response to inoculation in a partially resistant (Maryland Beauty) and susceptible (Stoplight) cultivar. A two-factor RCBD trial was set up in 2023 and 2024 at an outdoor container yard. Fruit from inoculated and control plants were sampled at three stages: immature, color change, and maturity. Fruits were included in resin, sectioned, stained with Sudan III-IV or Toluidine blue, and subject to cuticle thickness measurement. Significant differences were observed by cultivar and inoculation treatment. Immature fruit of both cultivars had a thicker cuticle in inoculated plants compared to uninoculated controls. From color change to maturity, ‘Maryland Beauty’ fruit had overall thinner cuticle compared to ‘Stoplight’; however, the effect of inoculation followed reverse trends. Inoculated ‘Stoplight’ had significantly thicker cuticle compared to its control at color change but not at maturity. ‘Maryland Beauty’ had no differences based on inoculation treatment at color change, but significantly thicker cuticle compared to its control at maturity. Results support a connection between fruit cuticle, pathogen infection, and cultivar susceptibility, which may inform future management strategies and targeted metabolomic analyses.