Plant Protection (Scientific Journal of Agriculture)

Plant Protection (Scientific Journal of Agriculture)

Evaluation of pathogenic diversity in Verticillium dahliae and defense mechanisms of different cotton cultivars against Verticillium wilt disease

Document Type : Research paper-Persian

Authors
N. Khaledi 1
M. Razi Nataj Aghamahli 2
A. Hamidi 1
S. Sheidaei 1
F. Hassani 1
1 Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
2 Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran
10.22055/ppr.2026.51752.1882
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne hemibiotrophic fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is one of the most serious diseases affecting cotton production worldwide. The pathogen persists in soil for prolonged periods as microsclerotia, penetrates host plants through the roots, and colonizes the xylem vessels, resulting in vascular blockage, physiological dysfunction, and significant yield losses. Despite the considerable economic importance of cotton, no cultivar with complete and stable resistance to Verticillium wilt has been reported to date. Therefore, understanding cultivar-specific responses at both agronomic and biochemical levels is essential for identifying relatively resistant genotypes and developing effective disease management strategies. Moreover, pathogen-host interactions can vary substantially depending on environmental conditions and cultivar genetic backgrounds, underscoring the need to evaluate multiple genotypes across diverse settings. This study aimed to (i) evaluate the susceptibility of different cotton cultivars to Verticillium wilt, (ii) examine the effects of the disease on agronomic traits and yield components, and (iii) investigate the biochemical defense mechanisms associated with basal resistance.
Materials and Methods
The experiments were conducted under two distinct conditions: a naturally infected field site and a greenhouse environment with artificial inoculation using V. dahliae. Field experiments were conducted at the Karkandeh research station, a site with a long history of natural V. dahliae infestation, providing a realistic setting for evaluating cultivar-specific responses to the pathogen under natural disease pressure. Nine cotton cultivars were evaluated, including seven imported cultivars, Erguven, Efe09, GW22-1361, GW22-1513, PM39, May509, and Ashor, and two local cultivars used as reference controls, namely Varamin, susceptible, and Golestan, moderately resistant. The disease index and incidence of Verticillium wilt were recorded and evaluated throughout the growing season. In addition, agronomic traits, including plant height, branch characteristics, boll number, boll weight, earliness, and yield, were measured. Biochemical analyses were conducted at multiple time points after inoculation to quantify total protein content, phenolic compound accumulation, lignin deposition, and the activities of key defense-related enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Statistical analyses were performed to characterize genotype-specific responses and to examine relationships among the disease index, agronomic traits, and biochemical indicators.
Results
The results indicate that the soil population of V. dahliae progressively increased throughout the growing season, confirming active pathogen-host interactions. Significant variation was observed among the cotton cultivars in disease incidence, disease index, agronomic performance, and biochemical responses. Among the cultivars tested, GW22-1513 showed a significantly lower disease index and superior agronomic traits, and the fastest activation of defense-related enzymes, accompanied by higher accumulation of phenolic compounds and lignin deposition. Relatively resistant cultivars, such as GW22-1361 and Ashor, also showed stronger biochemical defense responses than susceptible cultivars, although to a lesser degree than GW22-1513. Trait relationship analyses revealed that rapid and efficient activation of antioxidant and defense mechanisms was closely associated with a reduced disease index and the maintenance of plant growth and yield. Furthermore, the findings indicate that specific biochemical markers, particularly phenolic accumulation and lignin deposition, can serve as reliable indicators of basal resistance and may help predict cultivar performance under pathogen pressure.
Discussion
Resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton is closely linked to the rapid induction of biochemical defense mechanisms and the preservation of agronomic traits. Increased activities of antioxidant and defense-related enzymes, together with greater lignification and phenolic accumulation, appear to play a central role in limiting pathogen spread and reducing disease-related damage. The superior performance of GW22-1513 suggests that this cultivar combines favorable agronomic traits with strong defense responses, making it a promising candidate for cultivation in Verticillium-infested areas. This study provides detailed insight into the interactions between cotton cultivars and Verticillium wilt and offers valuable information for breeding programs and the selection of resistant cultivars. Collectively, integrating agronomic and biochemical assessments establishes a sound framework for identifying resistant cotton cultivars and improving the sustainable management of Verticillium wilt.
Keywords
Superoxide Dismutase
Polyphenol Oxidase
Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase
Guaiacol Peroxidase
Basal Resistance
Subjects
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 © 2026 by the authors. Licensee SCU, Ahvaz, Iran. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0 license) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
Plant Protection (Scientific Journal of Agriculture)
Volume 49, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 39-70