Nitrate availability influences powdery mildew resistance and secondary metabolism in Gerbera hybrida.

Authors

Estuardo J Hernandez Olesinski, Anna Mascellani Bergo, Tommaso Barbagli, Jaroslav Havlik, Leo F M Marcelis, Kirsten A Leiss

Published in

Frontiers in plant science. Volume 17. Pages 1879542. Epub Aug 07, 2026.

Abstract

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) is a major disease affecting gerbera (Gerbera hybrida, Asteraceae), and nitrogen availability is a key factor influencing disease development. Our objective was to determine how nitrate availability affects resistance to Podosphaera xanthii through changes in primary and secondary metabolism. Using greenhouse experiments and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics, we found that lower nitrate levels reduced infection, supporting the concept of nitrogen-induced susceptibility. Reduced nitrate availability was associated with decreased amino acid levels and increased accumulation of defense-associated metabolites such as polyketide and phenylpropanoid metabolites, including gerberin, gerberinside, parasorboside, and chlorogenic acid derivatives. Notably, moderate nitrate reduction enhanced resistance without compromising flower biomass, provided that nitrate supply remained above 3 mM. Our results highlight nitrate management as a potential strategy for sustainable disease control.

PMID:
42630222
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 22 Aug 2026.

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