Application of antimicrobial peptides to control leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) infection in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

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dc.contributor.authorPanthi, Urbashi
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorKovalchuk, Igor
dc.contributor.supervisorBilichak, Andriy
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-24T20:06:40Z
dc.date.available2025-03-24T20:06:40Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractScreening and developing novel antifungal agents with minimal environmental impact are needed to maintain and increase crop production constantly threatened by various pathogens. Small peptides with antimicrobial and antifungal activities have been known to play an important role in plant defense both at the pathogen level by suppressing its growth and proliferation as well as at the host’s level through activation or priming of the plant’s immune system for faster, more robust response against fungi. Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are plant pathogens that can infect key crops, threaten global food security and are capable of overcoming the resistance genes introduced in elite wheat cultivars. We performed an in vitro screening of 19 peptides predominantly of plant origin with antifungal or antimicrobial activity for their ability to inhibit leaf rust (Puccinia triticina, CCDS isolate) urediniospores germination. Nine peptides demonstrated significant fungicidal properties compared to the control. Foliar application of the top three candidates, β-purothionin, Purothionin-α2 and Defensin-2, decreased the severity of the leaf rust infection in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Additionally, increased pathogen resistance was paralleled by elevated expression of the defense-related genes.
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by the Manitoba Crop Alliance (grant# 20210601), the Agriculture Development Fund (grant# 20210601), the Alberta Wheat Commission (grant# 22AWC134A), the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (grant# 216-211124), the Western Grains Research Foundation (grant# AGR2218) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (grant# J-002616).
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/7023
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Science
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)
dc.subjectwheat
dc.subjectTriticum aestivum L.
dc.subjectleaf rust
dc.subjectPuccinia triticina
dc.subjectantifungal peptides
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshWheat--Diseases and pests--Research
dc.subject.lcshWheat--Disease and pest resistance--Research
dc.subject.lcshLeaf rust of wheat--Research
dc.subject.lcshPuccinia triticina--Research
dc.subject.lcshPeptide antibiotics--Research
dc.titleApplication of antimicrobial peptides to control leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) infection in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
dc.typeThesis
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