Hydrogen peroxide formation in cacao tissues infected by the hemibiotrophic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa

In plant–pathogen interaction, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) may play a dual role: its accumulation inhibits the growth of biotrophic pathogens, while it could help the infection/colonization process of plant by necrotrophic pathogens. One of the possible pathways of H2O2 production involves oxalic acid (Oxa) degradation by apoplastic oxalate oxidase. Here, we analyzed the production of H2O2, the presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals and the content of Oxa and ascorbic acid (Asa) – the main precursor of Oxa in plants – in susceptible and resistant cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) infected by the hemibiotrophic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa. We also quantified the transcript level of ascorbate peroxidase (Apx), germin-like oxalate oxidase (Glp) and dehydroascorbate reductase (Dhar) by RT-qPCR. We report that the CaOx crystal amount and the H2O2 levels in the two varieties present distinct temporal and genotype-dependent patterns. Susceptible variety accumulated more CaOx crystals than the resistant one, and the dissolution of these crystals occurred in the early infection steps and in the final stage of the disease in the resistant and the susceptible variety, respectively. High expression of the Glp and accumulation of Oxa were observed in the resistant variety. The content of Asa increased in the inoculated susceptible variety, but remained constant in the resistant one. The susceptible variety presented reduced Dhar expression. The role of H2O2 and its formation from Oxa via Apx and Glp in resistant and susceptible variety infected by M. perniciosa were discussed.

► CaOx crystal and H2O2 present distinct temporal and genotype-dependent patterns.
► Susceptible cacao variety accumulated more CaOx crystals than the resistant one.
► High expression of the Glp and accumulation of Oxa in the resistant cacao variety.
► Content of Asa increased in the inoculated susceptible variety.
► Susceptible variety presented reduced Dhar expression.