Effect of hyperbaric pressures on the expression of disease resistance genes in red guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Abstract

The use of hyperbaric pressures as postharvest treatment is relatively new and the mechanisms behind its beneficial effect on fruit and vegetables conservation are not yet fully elucidated. It is known that the use of postharvest physical treatments may have an eliciting effect on systemic resistance in fruits and vegetables. Our work will be carried out at Polytechnic University dellle Marche in Ancona, Italy, under the supervision of Dr. Gianfranco Romanazzi, a reference in the field of postharvest plant pathology and the use of molecular techniques. The aim of this research is to study the expression of resistance related genes of guava diseases treated with hyperbaric pressures (100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 kPa) and different exposure times of fruits to pressures (12 and 48h). RT-qPCR will be used to identify gene expression linked to mechanisms of acquired systemic resistance (ASR), oxidative metabolism (ROS-scavengers), among others. It is expected to identify the genes linked to plant/pathogen/resistance-inducer interactions and to recommend hyperbaric pressures application as an alternative to chemical control of guava postharvest diseases. (AU)