Induced Resistance Mechanisms in Grapevine Pathogen Management

Grapevine cultivation faces continual threats from fungal and oomycete pathogens, notably downy and powdery mildews, which have traditionally been managed with high inputs of copper‐based and synthetic fungicides. While effective, these approaches raise concerns over environmental accumulation, human health and the emergence of resistant pathogen strains. Induced resistance offers a sustainable alternative by harnessing the plant’s innate immune system. Following treatment with natural or synthetic elicitors, grapevines enter a heightened state of defence readiness, characterised by rapid production of reactive oxygen species, activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascades, and accumulation of pathogenesis‐related proteins and phytoalexins.

Central to this strategy is the early recognition of conserved molecular signals—microbe‐associated molecular patterns and damage‐associated molecular patterns—by specific cell-surface receptors. This triggers a signalling network involving salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene pathways, leading to both local and systemic resistance. A priming phenomenon often underlies sustained protection, whereby defence responses are deployed more swiftly and cost-efficiently upon subsequent pathogen attack. The integration of induced resistance into viticultural practice promises to reduce chemical inputs, preserve biodiversity and maintain wine quality without compromising disease control.

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Induced Resistance Mechanisms in Grapevine Pathogen Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in induced resistance mechanisms in grapevine pathogen management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Induced resistance: A plant’s enhanced capacity to ward off pathogens following prior exposure to elicitors or sub-lethal stress.

Elicitor: A molecule that mimics pathogen or damage signals to trigger plant defence pathways.

Priming: A preparatory state in which a plant responds more quickly or strongly to pathogen attack without full defence activation at the time of treatment.

Microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP): Conserved microbial molecules recognised by plant receptors to initiate immune responses.

Damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP): Plant‐derived molecules released upon tissue damage that activate immune signalling.

Chitosan: A natural polysaccharide extracted from crustacean shells that functions as both an antifungal agent and a defence elicitor in plants.

Phytoalexin: An antimicrobial secondary metabolite synthesised by plants in response to pathogen challenge.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules produced during the oxidative burst that contribute to pathogen inhibition and defence signalling.

References

1. Applications of chitosan alone, alternated or combined with copper for grapevine downy mildew management in large scale trials. Journal of Cleaner Production (2024).
2. Increasing vineyard sustainability: innovating a targeted chitosan-derived biocontrol solution to induce grapevine resistance against downy and powdery mildews. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
3. Recognition of Elicitors in Grapevine: From MAMP and DAMP Perception to Induced Resistance. Frontiers in Plant Science (2019).