The expression of 18 defense genes in strawberry fruit treated with elicitors: chitosan, BTH, and COA, at 0.5, 6, 24, and 48 h post-treatment was analyzed. The genes were up-regulated differentially, according to the elicitor. Chitosan and COA treatments promoted the expression of key phenylpropanoid pathway genes, for synthesis of lignin and flavonoids; only those associated with flavonoid metabolism were up-regulated by BTH. The calcium-dependent protein kinase, endo-β 1,4-glucanase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase genes were up-regulated by BTH. The K+ channel, polygalacturonase, polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein, and β-1,3-glucanase, increased in response to all tested elicitors. The enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, Chitinase, and guaiacol peroxidase supported the gene expression results. Similarity of gene expression was >72% between chitosan and COA treatments, while BTH showed lower similarity (38%) with the other elicitors. This study suggests the relationship between the composition of the elicitors and a specific pattern of induced defense genes.
Keywords: Fragaria × ananassa; benzothiadiazole; chitosan; elicitors; gene expression.