Riboflavin activates defense responses in tobacco and induces resistance against Phytophthora parasitica and Ralstonia solanacearum

The effects of riboflavin on defense responses and secondary metabolism in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. NC89) cell suspensions and the effects of protecting tobacco seedlings against Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae and Ralstonia solanacearum were investigated. Defense responses elicited by riboflavin in tobacco cells included an oxidative burst, alkalinization of the extracellular medium, expression of 4 defense-related genes with different kinetics and intensities, and accumulation of 2 total phenolic compounds, scopoletin and lignin. When applied to tobacco plants challenged by P. parasitica and R. solanacearum, riboflavin treatment resulted in 47.9% and 48.0% protection, respectively. These results suggest that riboflavin can both induce a series of defense responses and secondary metabolism in cell suspensions and protect tobacco against P. parasitica and R. solanacearum.