Characterization of terpene biosynthesis in Melaleuca quinquenervia and ecological consequences of terpene accumulation during myrtle rust infection.

ABSTRACT: Plants use a wide array of secondary metabolites including terpenes as defense against herbivore and pathogen attack, which can be constitutively expressed or induced. Here, we investigated aspects of the chemical and molecular basis of resistance against the exotic rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii in Melaleuca quinquenervia, with a focus on terpenes. Foliar terpenes of resistant and susceptible plants were quantified, and we assessed whether chemotypic variation contributed to resistance to infection by A. psidii. We found that chemotypes did not contribute to the resistance and susceptibility of M. quinquenervia. However, in one of the chemotypes (Chemotype 2), susceptible plants showed higher concentrations of several terpenes including α-pinene, limonene, 1

SUBMITTER: Hsieh JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10168048 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature