Changes in biochemistry and cellular ultrastructure support different resistance mechanisms to Phytophthora sojae in nonhost common bean and host soybean

Phytophthora root and stem rot of soybean caused by Phytophthora sojae is a destructive disease affecting soybean production worldwide. In nature, soybean is the only economically important cultivated host of P. sojae. The aim of this study was to explain different resistance mechanisms to P. sojae in nonhost common bean and host soybean as a basis for the control of Phytophthora root and stem rot of soybean via nonhost resistance. Observations and measurements of disease resistance-related variables showed slight differences in structural and biochemical resistance mechanisms between common bean and soybean. P. sojae infection induced a stronger hypersensitive response in nonhost common bean than in host resistant soybean. Moreover, phytoalexin phaseollidin synthesis-related vestitone reductase gene was extremely highly up-regulated, and phytoalexin glyceollin synthesis-related isoflavone reductase gene was slightly less up-regulated in common bean than in soybean, which resulted in a higher level of phaseollidin and a lower level of glyceollin in common bean. Phaseollidin had stronger inhibitory effects on mycelial growth and oospore formation of P. sojae than glyceollin, and more cell wall depositions and callose accumulated in common bean, which are probably related to the stronger resistance of nonhost common bean to P. sojae.