Elicitation of resistance to bacterial canker of stone fruits by humic and fulvic acids (glucohumates): a cDNA-AFLP-dHPLC approach

The results highlighted the activity of glucohumates in controlling Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni both in vitro and in vivo. Beneficial effects of humic substances towards this pathogen were confirmed by a significant disease reduction (up to 78%) in the commercial orchard. On the other hand, cDNA-AFLP-dHPLC analysis allowed the collection of fourteen up-regulated transcript-derived fragments belonging to peach genes and putatively involved in the defence response. In particular, the activation of these genes within 24 h after treatment supposedly triggered the early-induced resistance, notoriously involved in maintaining a protection state in plants against biotic stresses.