Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress
<i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> is an aggressive root-knot nematode that poses a significant threat to global chili (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) production. This study evaluated the resistance levels, physiological responses, and capsaicin accumulation patterns of diverse Capsicum g...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/607 |
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| author | Kansiree Jindapunnapat Pornthip Sroisai Nichaphat Auangaree Nawarat Pornsopin Suchila Techawongstien Tanyarat Tarinta |
| author_facet | Kansiree Jindapunnapat Pornthip Sroisai Nichaphat Auangaree Nawarat Pornsopin Suchila Techawongstien Tanyarat Tarinta |
| author_sort | Kansiree Jindapunnapat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> is an aggressive root-knot nematode that poses a significant threat to global chili (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) production. This study evaluated the resistance levels, physiological responses, and capsaicin accumulation patterns of diverse Capsicum genotypes—including <i>C. annuum</i>, <i>C. chinense</i>, <i>C. frutescens</i>, and <i>C. baccatum</i>—under nematode-infested and non-infested conditions. Resistance was assessed using the gall index (GI), egg per g of root, and reproductive factor (Rf). Among these evaluated parameters, Rf and egg count consistently reflected nematode reproductive success, whereas the GI proved less reliable for resistance classification. Several genotypes—notably from <i>C. chinense</i> and <i>C. frutescens</i>—exhibited strong resistance (Rf < 1), suggesting their potential for nematode-infection cultivar development. Physiological assessments revealed variable photosynthetic responses, with some genotypes showing increased photosynthetic rates of post-infection, indicating potential compensatory mechanisms. In contrast, capsaicin accumulation was influenced by nematode stress and genetic background, indicating their roles in capsaicin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the genotype-specific biochemical and physiological responses of <i>Capsicum</i> species to <i>M. enterolobii</i> infection and underscore the value of integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular data in breeding programs. Future research should focus on dissecting hormonal signaling pathways and post-infection metabolic shifts to accelerate the development of robust, high-yielding cultivars with durable resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-96d61cdc3f9a41a3abc09a27afb015e3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-96d61cdc3f9a41a3abc09a27afb015e32025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-05-0111660710.3390/horticulturae11060607Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode StressKansiree Jindapunnapat0Pornthip Sroisai1Nichaphat Auangaree2Nawarat Pornsopin3Suchila Techawongstien4Tanyarat Tarinta5Department of Entomology and Plant-Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Entomology and Plant-Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Entomology and Plant-Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandPlant Breeding Research Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand<i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> is an aggressive root-knot nematode that poses a significant threat to global chili (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.) production. This study evaluated the resistance levels, physiological responses, and capsaicin accumulation patterns of diverse Capsicum genotypes—including <i>C. annuum</i>, <i>C. chinense</i>, <i>C. frutescens</i>, and <i>C. baccatum</i>—under nematode-infested and non-infested conditions. Resistance was assessed using the gall index (GI), egg per g of root, and reproductive factor (Rf). Among these evaluated parameters, Rf and egg count consistently reflected nematode reproductive success, whereas the GI proved less reliable for resistance classification. Several genotypes—notably from <i>C. chinense</i> and <i>C. frutescens</i>—exhibited strong resistance (Rf < 1), suggesting their potential for nematode-infection cultivar development. Physiological assessments revealed variable photosynthetic responses, with some genotypes showing increased photosynthetic rates of post-infection, indicating potential compensatory mechanisms. In contrast, capsaicin accumulation was influenced by nematode stress and genetic background, indicating their roles in capsaicin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the genotype-specific biochemical and physiological responses of <i>Capsicum</i> species to <i>M. enterolobii</i> infection and underscore the value of integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular data in breeding programs. Future research should focus on dissecting hormonal signaling pathways and post-infection metabolic shifts to accelerate the development of robust, high-yielding cultivars with durable resistance.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/607biotic stressplant–nematode interactionresistant–susceptible varieties<i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i>capsaicin biosynthesisphotosynthesis |
| spellingShingle | Kansiree Jindapunnapat Pornthip Sroisai Nichaphat Auangaree Nawarat Pornsopin Suchila Techawongstien Tanyarat Tarinta Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress Horticulturae biotic stress plant–nematode interaction resistant–susceptible varieties <i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> capsaicin biosynthesis photosynthesis |
| title | Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress |
| title_full | Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress |
| title_fullStr | Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress |
| title_short | Spice Defense: Resistance, Capsaicin, and Photosynthesis in Diverse Capsicum Genotypes Under Root-Knot Nematode Stress |
| title_sort | spice defense resistance capsaicin and photosynthesis in diverse capsicum genotypes under root knot nematode stress |
| topic | biotic stress plant–nematode interaction resistant–susceptible varieties <i>Meloidogyne enterolobii</i> capsaicin biosynthesis photosynthesis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/607 |
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