Effect of Acinetobacter sp on metalaxyl degradation and metabolite profile of potato seedlings (Solanum tuberosum L.) alpha variety

PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31221. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031221. Epub 2012 Feb 17.

Abstract

One of the most serious diseases in potato cultivars is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which affects leaves, stems and tubers. Metalaxyl is a fungicide that protects potato plants from Phytophthora infestans. In Mexico, farmers apply metalaxyl 35 times during the cycle of potato production and the last application is typically 15 days before harvest. There are no records related to the presence of metalaxyl in potato tubers in Mexico. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Acinetobacter sp on metalaxyl degradation in potato seedlings. The effect of bacteria and metalaxyl on the growth of potato seedlings was also evaluated. A metabolite profile analysis was conducted to determine potential molecular biomarkers produced by potato seedlings in the presence of Acinetobacter sp and metalaxyl. Metalaxyl did not affect the growth of potato seedlings. However, Acinetobacter sp strongly affected the growth of inoculated seedlings, as confirmed by plant length and plant fresh weights which were lower in inoculated potato seedlings (40% and 27%, respectively) compared to the controls. Acinetobacter sp also affected root formation. Inoculated potato seedlings showed a decrease in root formation compared to the controls. LC-MS/MS analysis of metalaxyl residues in potato seedlings suggests that Acinetobacter sp did not degrade metalaxyl. GC-TOF-MS platform was used in metabolic profiling studies. Statistical data analysis and metabolic pathway analysis allowed suggesting the alteration of metabolic pathways by both Acinetobacter sp infection and metalaxyl treatment. Several hundred metabolites were detected, 137 metabolites were identified and 15 metabolic markers were suggested based on statistical change significance found with PLS-DA analysis. These results are important for better understanding the interactions of putative endophytic bacteria and pesticides on plants and their possible effects on plant metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter / genetics
  • Acinetobacter / growth & development
  • Acinetobacter / isolation & purification
  • Acinetobacter / physiology*
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Alanine / metabolism
  • Alanine / pharmacology
  • Biodegradation, Environmental / drug effects
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Galactose / metabolism
  • Internet
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / drug effects
  • Metabolome* / drug effects
  • Phenylalanine / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Roots / cytology
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Rhizosphere
  • Seedlings / drug effects
  • Seedlings / metabolism*
  • Seedlings / microbiology*
  • Solanum tuberosum / drug effects
  • Solanum tuberosum / metabolism*
  • Solanum tuberosum / microbiology*
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • metalaxyl
  • Phenylalanine
  • Alanine
  • Galactose