Metal-induced resistance in pepper against Botrytis cinerea

Plants often face challenges like poor soil quality, lack of nutrients, and diseases caused by pests and pathogens. These issues can reduce crop yields and threaten food security. A study found that diseases and pests cause over 20% of the annual loss in the world`s major crops like wheat, rice, and maize. This highlights the need for effective ways to protect plants. The European Commission aims to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and promote eco-friendly farming practices. Organic farming and integrated pest management are two methods that use natural ways to control diseases, such as biological agents, resistant plant varieties, and balanced fertilization. Our research focuses on how micronutrients, specifically copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), can boost the plant immune system. Unlike high concentrations of these metals used in conventional plant protection, which can be harmful, we use low, non-toxic levels. This approach can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which are energy-intensive to produce and apply. Recent studies suggest that micronutrients like Zn and Cu play a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms. For example, adding extra Zn to pepper plants helped them resist a common fungal disease, Botrytis cinerea, by increasing Zn-binding proteins at the infection site. The project aims to understand how these micronutrients enhance plant immunity. We will study the effects of surplus but non-toxic levels of Zn and Cu on pepper plants and their response to infection. We will investigate the proteins and compounds involved in the defense process and how they work together to protect the plants. An interesting question will be whether we can connect the molecular defense mechanisms with the role of Zn- and Cu-containing proteins and metabolites and how the defense responses differ between Zn and Cu treatments. For this we will use advanced techniques in plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to study the effects of micronutrients on plant defense. This includes measuring physiological parameters, imaging, analyzing proteins and metabolites, and studying gene expression. We hope to uncover the mechanisms of micronutrient-induced plant resistance. This knowledge could lead to new, sustainable ways to protect crops and improve food security. The project will also provide valuable training for PhD students and establish strong scientific cooperation between research institutions in Austria and the Czech Republic.