Unraveling the fungicide resistance in Alternaria alternata through integrated enzymatic, phenotypic, and colony growth analysis

Authors

  • Mansoor Hayat School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Center, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1772-2731
  • Zhanbin Wang School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Center, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China
  • Liu Xiaojing School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Center, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China
  • Zarmina Gul Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, College of Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization. Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8348-528X
  • Hasham Ahmad School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, 1, 150040, Harbin, China https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8783-8314

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/jppr.2026.1067

Keywords

leaf blight fungus, fungicide, wild strain, resistant strain, Poplar pathogenicity

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 cold and appear 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 bacteria, 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 more 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.

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2026-07-01

How to Cite

Hayat, Mansoor, et al. “Unraveling the Fungicide Resistance in Alternaria Alternata through Integrated Enzymatic, Phenotypic, and Colony Growth Analysis”. Journal of Plant Protection Research, vol. 66, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 208-21, doi:10.24425/jppr.2026.1067.

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Vol. 66 No. 2 (2026)

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