The effect of Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 and an endophyte fungus Serendipita indica on resistance induction with defense genes expression of wheat against Septoria leaf blotch disease

Septoria leaf blotch (STB) caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, is one of the important wheat disease. The endophytic fungus Serendipita indica and the plant-protecting bacteria Pseudomonas protegens induce systemic resistance to plant pathogens. In this study, the expression rate of several defense genes in Tajan susceptible wheat cultivar treated by S. indica and P. protegens and in control plants at different times point after inoculation with Z. tritici were investigated by Real-time qPCR technique. The results showed that, the expression of PAL and LOX genes in plants treated with P. protegens was higher than other treatments. The expression of NPR1 and PR5 genes were higher in co-inoculated plants that treated by S. indica and P. protegens. The results of phenotypic evaluation of two mentioned treatments also show, the expression of these genes is effective in inducing resistance.The results indicate the active role of these two biocontrol agents in protection of susceptible Tajan cultivar against STB due to increased expression of these genes compared to control.