HarpinPss encapsulation in chitosan nanoparticles for improved bioavailability and disease resistance in tomato

HarpinPss, an elicitor from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, induces systemic acquired resistance in non-host plants, providing resistance to phytopathogens. Poor assimilation of harpinPss is a major constraint in foliar application as biopesticide. We, therefore, prepared harpinPss-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (H-CSNPs) to improve permeability and bio-availability of harpinPss in tomato. H-CSNPs showed high encapsulation efficiency (90%), improved stability (p < 0.01) and bioavailability of harpinPss (p < 0.01). Treatment with H-CSNPs resulted in sustained induction of peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and decreased Rhizoctonia solani infection (p < 0.05). Transcripts of several genes involved in defense response were differentially expressed in harpinPss, CSNPs and H-CSNPs treatments. While, genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA) metabolism were up-regulated during harpinPss and H-CSNP spray treatments, indicating the role of JA pathway in triggering harpin-mediated defense responses. Furthermore, the entry of CSNPs into the cell and localization of harpinPss into chloroplast was tracked using rhodamine-labelled CSNPs encapsulated with GFP tagged harpinPss. The results of this study indicate use of H-CSNPs is effective for sustained-release of harpinPss and provides resistance for prolonged duration.