Methyl jasmonate and 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene Differentially Impact Phytohormonal and Stress Protective Pathway Regulation Involved in Potato Tuber Dormancy
The primary objective of this study, conducted by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and North Dakota State University, was to analyze the expression of key genes and identify potential biomarkers associated with phytohormones, cell cycle, and stress responses. These factors affect endodormancy and sprouting in stored potato tubers. The study also evaluated the effects of DMN and MeJa treatments on these processes.
Key Highlights
- Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) induced stress responses and signaling in potato bud meristems and enhanced stress-protective pathways.
- Both MeJa alone and in combination with DMN (1,4-dimethylnaphthalene) suppressed sprout growth in stored potato tubers.
- Tuber bud meristems had lower metabolic activity compared to flesh tissue, which affected dormancy and sprout inhibition.
- Treatment with sprout inhibitors increased the activity of genes related to abscisic acid and brassinosteroids, which are essential for dormancy regulation.
- DMN treatment reduced the activity of genes related to phytohormones and cell cycle regulation, which differed from the effects of MeJa.
by Jorge Luis Alonso with ChatGPT-4
Potato tubers' quality and marketability during postharvest storage largely depend on effective sprouting management. In this study, an innovative approach to sprout suppression was used to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJa) and 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (DMN), either individually or in combination, on the regulation of phytohormonal pathways and stress protection mechanisms in potato tuber dormancy.
Potato tubers of the cv. Russet Burbank were treated with MeJa, DMN or a combination of both at the beginning of storage. Their effects on sprout growth and biochemical and molecular changes were monitored up to 21 days after treatment. The research aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying dormancy maintenance, focusing on gene expression related to phytohormones, cell cycle, stress responses, and related biochemical processes.
The results showed that both MeJa and the combination of DMN and MeJa effectively suppressed sprout growth during prolonged storage. Specifically, MeJa treatment significantly enhanced the expression of genes associated with stress-protective metabolites such as phenolic acids and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in bud meristem tissues. This suggests a stress-induced mode of action of MeJa, which likely contributes to its efficacy in suppressing bud burst.
In contrast, DMN treatment reduced the expression of genes related to phytohormone and cell cycle regulation, indicating less metabolic activity in bud meristems compared to tuber flesh. This suggests a unique mode of action different from that of MeJa. The study found that DMN alone was less effective in maintaining germination suppression over the long term, suggesting that its efficacy may be improved in combination with MeJa or through repeated applications.
In addition, the treatments affected the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling pathways of key phytohormones, including abscisic acid, cytokinin, gibberellins, and brassinosteroids. In particular, MeJa treatment appeared to activate a network of stress response and dormancy regulation pathways, thereby enhancing its anti-germination effect.
The different effects observed between DMN and MeJa treatments on gene expression patterns and metabolic processes highlight the complexity of dormancy regulation in potato tubers. The results suggest that MeJa induces a protective stress response that not only suppresses sprout growth, but also prepares the tuber for enhanced resistance to oxidative stress, potentially prolonging dormancy and improving storage outcomes.
This research deepens our understanding of the molecular interactions and regulatory pathways that control potato tuber dormancy and sprouting. By delineating the distinct effects of DMN and MeJa, this study provides valuable insights for the development of targeted sprout suppression strategies that can improve the storage stability and quality of potato tubers, which is essential for ensuring food security and the economic viability of the potato industry. Future research should investigate the synergistic effects of these compounds and other potential treatments to develop more effective and sustainable post-harvest solutions.
Source: Dogramaci, M., Sarkar, D., Datir, S., Finger, F., Shetty, K., Fugate, K., & Anderson, J. V. (2024). Methyl jasmonate and 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene differentially impact phytohormonal and stress-protective pathway regulation involved in potato tuber dormancy. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 213, 112931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2024.112931
For more research on potato storage, click here: https://bit.ly/3u8OCtU.
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