P-215 - A novel type of plant activator UT34 primes plant immune systems against diseases in tomato

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

13:30 - 15:15

Location: Confex Hall 3

Local and inter-organ signaling in immunity and mutualistic interactions

Presenting Author(s)

TT

Tomoya Tanaka

Fukui Prefectural University
Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan

Author(s)

MF

Moeka Fujita

Kyushu University
Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka, Japan
MK

Miyuki Kusajima

Research associate
Keio university
Kohoku, Kanagawa, Japan
TA

Tadao Asami

The University of Tokyo
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
HN

Hideo Nakashita

Fukui Prefectural University
Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan

Chemicals capable of activating the plant immune system is potent tool to protect crops. Foliar application of a novel type of plant activator UT34 induced disease resistance in tomato against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. UT34 and the extract of UT34-treated plant tissues did not exhibit antimicrobial activities against pathogens tested. Foliar treatment with UT34 induced both SA-and JA- related signaling in leaves, indicating that it possesses a different mode of action from SAR-inducing chemicals. In addition, UT34 did not affect the plant growth, whereas SAR-inducing chemicals inhibit the growth of dicotyledonous plants such as tomato and cucumber. Further analysis revealed that induction of SA-mediated signaling after pathogen infection was enhanced in UT34-treated tomato plants, indicating that UT34 has a priming effect on plant immune systems. Thus, UT34 could be a promising compound that can be used for a variety of crops to protect diseases. This research was supported by the Research and implementation promotion program through open innovation grants (JPJ011937) from the Project of the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN).