ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Unraveling the fungicide resistance in Alternaria alternata through integrated enzymatic, phenotypic, and colony growth analysis
1
School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
2
Northeast Asia Biodiversity Center, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
3
Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, College of Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization. Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, China
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2024-11-27
Acceptance date: 2025-02-10
Online publication date: 2026-06-18
Corresponding author
Journal of Plant Protection Research 2026;2(66)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Investigated the activity of antioxidant enzymes of A. alternata
- Alternaria alternata growth rates on fungicide-treated media were evaluated
- Alternaria alternata's soluble protein content was measured
- Studied and contrasted the phenotypic characteristics of Alternaria alternata
- Investigated oxidative stress reactions and fungal resistance
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Alternaria alternata causes black spots in a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are major
post-harvest losses due to a hidden fungus that develops when fruits are kept in the low
temperature and appears during the fruit marketing season. This study investigated how
A. alternata develops resistance to fungicides and how growth rates are affected by various
growth media. According to the results, the resistant strain grew more slowly in the EC100
medium than in the control media, which showed significant differences in radial growth
across media. On the other hand, the wild strain in resistant media (WS-RM) showed less
development, whereas the resistant strain in wild media (RS-WM) showed more growth.
Wild strains multiplied, whereas resistant strains showed decreased mycelial growth.
Biochemical assays revealed significant variations between resistant and wild strains.
These distinctions are highlighted by the linear correlation (R2 = 99.38%) between protein
concentrations and absorbance variation. The wild strains’ control protein ratio
(CPr) was 0.192, whereas the resistant strains were 0.187. The mean values of MDA
(360.89 nmol · mg–1 protein), CAT (35.54 U · ml–1 protein), SOD (179.60 U · ml–1 protein),
and tyrosinase (52.18 U · ml–1 protein) in resistant strains were significantly higher than
those in wild strains (MDA: 179.19, CAT: 11.91, SOD: 161.36, tyrosinase: 23.90). Standard
deviations for all enzymes were more significant in resistant strain, indicating increased
variability. According to the pathogenicity test conducted on Populus nigra leaves, the resistant
strain’s enzymatic reactions were demonstrated by the CK leaves’ continued health,
the RS plants’ negligible symptoms, and the WS leaves’ severe necrosis. These results highlight
the necessity of further investigation into the molecular pathways underpinning interactions
between plants and pathogens to create focused defense strategies. Improving crop
tolerance to fungus infections and environmental stressors may result in more efficient
treatments, lower agricultural losses, and forest protection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to express their gratitude to
the School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University,
Harbin, China, and the Chinese Scholarship Council
(CSC) for providing financial support and facilities.
We further acknowledge the constructive comments of
anonymous reviewers which improved the manuscript
substantially.
FUNDING
This study was supported by the Northeast Asia Biodiversity
Research Center Grant Number 411147021003.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Piotr Iwaniuk
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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