Phenotypic and histological analyses on the resistance of melon to Phelipanche aegyptiaca

Xiaolei Cao; Lifeng Xiao; Lu Zhang; Meixiu Chen; Pengxuan Bian; Qianqian Ma; Siyu Chen; Quanlong He; Xinli Ma; Zhaoqun Yao; Sifeng Zhao

doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1070319

Phenotypic and histological analyses on the resistance of melon to Phelipanche aegyptiaca

Front Plant Sci. 2023 Mar 24:14:1070319. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1070319. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Xiaolei Cao^{1

2}, Lifeng Xiao¹, Lu Zhang¹, Meixiu Chen¹, Pengxuan Bian¹, Qianqian Ma¹, Siyu Chen¹, Quanlong He¹, Xinli Ma³, Zhaoqun Yao¹, Sifeng Zhao¹

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
² Key Laboratory of Special Fruits and Vegetables Cultivation Physiology and Germplasm Resources Utilization of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
³ Hami Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important crop in Xinjiang, China, but its production is constrained by the parasitic plant Phelipanche aegyptiaca that attaches to the roots of many crops and causes severe stunting and loss of yield. Rhizotron, pot, and field experiments were employed to evaluate the resistance of 27 melon cultivars to P. aegyptiaca. Then, the resistant and susceptible cultivars were inoculated with P. aegyptiaca from six populations to assess their resistance stability and broad spectrum. Further microscopic and histological analyses were used to clarify the resistance phenotypes and histological structure. The results showed that Huangpi 9818 and KR1326 were more resistant to P. aegyptiaca compared to other cultivars in the rhizotron, pot, and field experiments. In addition, compared to the susceptible cultivar K1076, Huangpi 9818 and KR1326 showed broad-spectrum resistance to six P. aegyptiaca populations. These two resistant cultivars had lower P. aegyptiaca biomass and fewer and smaller P. aegyptiaca attachments on their roots compared to susceptible cultivar K1076. KR1326 (resistant) and K1076 (susceptible) were selected to further study resistance phenotypes and mechanisms. Germination-inducing activity of root exudates and microscopic analysis showed that the resistance in KR1326 was not related to low induction of P. aegyptiaca germination. The tubercles of parasite on KR1326 were observed slightly brown at 14 days after inoculation (DAI), the necrosis and arrest of parasite development occurred at 23 DAI. Histological analysis of necrosis tubercles showed that the endophyte of parasite had reached host central cylinder, connected with host xylem, and accumulation of secretions and callose were detected in neighbouring cells. We concluded that KR1326 is an important melon cultivar for P. aegyptiaca resistance that could be used to expand the genetic basis of cultivated muskmelon for resistance to the parasite.

Keywords: Phelipanche aegyptiaca; histology; melon; necrosis; parasitic plants; resistance.

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32160649 and 31460467), Technology Innovation Program in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (2018CB022) and Youth Leader Program in Science (CXPY202001).