Fondazione GRINS
Growing Resilient,
Inclusive and Sustainable
Galleria Ugo Bassi 1, 40121, Bologna, IT
C.F/P.IVA 91451720378
Finanziato dal Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR), Missione 4 (Infrastruttura e ricerca), Componente 2 (Dalla Ricerca all’Impresa), Investimento 1.3 (Partnership Estese), Tematica 9 (Sostenibilità economica e finanziaria di sistemi e territori).



GRINS THEMATIC AREAS
RESOURCES
Flavescence dorée (FD) is a phytoplasma disease transmitted by insects, causing severe damage in vineyards across Europe. Since there is no effective treatment, infected plants must be removed to prevent further spread. There is variation in susceptibility to FD among different grapevine cultivars, and some exhibit symptom remission, known as recovery, although the mechanisms behind this are unclear. Diseased plants accumulate soluble sugars, including sucrose, which influences the concentration of trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), a signalling molecule affecting plant growth and stress responses. It is hypothesized that sucrose-mediated signalling via T6P could trigger defence mechanisms, reducing FD pathogen load and increasing plant recovery. To test this hypothesis, two grapevine genotypes with different susceptibility to FD were compared, revealing increased sucrose level and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) activity in the more tolerant cultivar. However, FD-infected plants showed inhibited sucrose-cleaving enzymes and no activation of TPS expression. Attempts to enhance sucrose levels through trunk infusion and girdling promoted sucrose metabolism, T6P biosynthesis, and defence gene expression, facilitating symptom recovery. Girdling particularly enhanced T6P biosynthesis and expression of defence genes above the treatment point, reducing FD pathogen presence and promoting recovery. These findings indicate that elevated sucrose levels, possibly signalling through T6P, may limit FD pathogen spread, aiding in plant recovery
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, in the framework of the GRINS - Growing Resilient, INclusive and Sustainable project (GRINS PE00000018). The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, nor can the European Union be held responsible for them.
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