β-Aminobutyric acid enhances Arabidopsis thaliana resistance to the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that functions as a potent plant defense activator, conferring broad-spectrum resistance in many plants. Although its effects on biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens are well known, the molecular basis of BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR) against the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum remains unclear. In this study, we investigated BABA’s effects on C. higginsianum-infected Arabidopsis thaliana. Foliar BABA application (1.25-10 mM) reduced lesion size and fungal biomass in a concentration-dependent manner, with 5-10 mM being most effective. Microscopy showed that BABA treatment prevented fungal invasion beyond the appressorium stage. Mutant analysis revealed that BABA-IR depends on salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis (NahG and eds16-1) and the signaling components EDS1 and NDR1. In contrast, mutants insensitive to jasmonic acid and ethylene (jar1-1 and ein2-12, respectively) retained BABA-mediated protection. These findings indicate that BABA primes SA-dependent defenses against C. higginsianum while highlighting its potential for improving sustainable crop protection.
Source: Plant Biotechnology
Authors: Mari Narusaka, Yoshihiro Narusaka
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: Analysis of Colletotrichum fungi recognition systems consisting of dual resistance protein, Analysis of Colletotrichum higginsianum recognition system by a novel ankyrin repeat-containing resistant protein, Analysis of novel non-NLR-type resistance protein confers resistance to Colletotrichum incanum, Identification and analysis of a novel resistance protein against Colletotrichum incanum
OpenAlex ID: W7155914720
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