Chitosan-induced defence responses in tomato plants against early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) Sorauer

摘要

The in vitro antifungal properties of chitosan and its role in protection of tomato from early blight disease were evaluated. Chitosan inhibited the radial and submerged growth of Alternaria solani at 1 mg/ml, and controls tomato plants from blight pathogen. Chitosan induces the level of chitinase activity and new isoforms of chitinase resulting in the reduction of early blight disease severity in tomato leaves. These results suggested the role of chitosan in activation of defence responses as well as protecting tomato plants from A. solani infection.