Sustainable Management of Bacterial Leaf Spot in Bell Pepper by Biological and Chemical Resistance Inducers

Pisut Keawmanee, Ratiya Pongpisutta, Sujin Patarapuwadol, Jutatape Watcharachaiyakup, Sotaro Chiba, Santiti Bincader and Chainarong Rattanakreetakul ()
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Pisut Keawmanee: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Ratiya Pongpisutta: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Sujin Patarapuwadol: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Jutatape Watcharachaiyakup: Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Sotaro Chiba: Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Santiti Bincader: Program in Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Agro-Industry, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Chainarong Rattanakreetakul: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Bacterial leaf spot, particularly in chili peppers, is major concern worldwide, particularly in chili peppers. Enhancing pepper resistance to bacterial leaf spot addresses a key agricultural challenge while minimizing chemical usage. In this study, the efficacy of plant resistance inducers (PRIs) in controlling bacterial leaf spot in peppers was evaluated through molecular and secondary metabolite analyses. Pepper plant seedlings were treated with salicylic acid (SA), acibenzolar-S-methyl, β-aminobutyric acid, chitosan, Bacillus subtilis B01, and B. velezensis CH6 and inoculated with Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria . Disease severity was assessed, and the expression level of genes ( PR-1 , PR-2 , PR-4 , and CAT ) and the abundance of secondary metabolites were analyzed via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Soil drenching with B. subtilis B01 produced the best effects, reducing the disease severity by 80% and significantly inducing PR-1 expression 24–48 h post-treatment. SA was similarly effective in inducing systemic acquired resistance (SAR), while β-aminobutyric acid primed antioxidative defenses through sustained catalase (CAT) expression, and chitosan induced PR-4. GC-MS analysis revealed secondary metabolites associated with systemic resistance pathways including SAR and induced systemic resistance (ISR). Herein, B. subtilis B01 and SA were identified as potent resistance inducers that reduce the disease severity of bacterial leaf spot and activate key defense pathways in pepper plants. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable, integrated disease management strategies.

Keywords: bacterial leaf spot; chili; plant induced resistance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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