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The fungal volatile organic compound 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone primes dwarf bean for enhanced drought tolerance
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DOI：10.3389/fpls.2026.1833542.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Drought stress is a major constraint on crop production. While Trichoderma fungi are widely recognized for enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses; the fungal molecules responsible for these protective effects remain poorly defined. In this study; we investigated the role of 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP); a volatile compound produced by diverse Trichoderma spp.; in modulating plant responses to water deficit. Dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings grown from seeds coated with a carrier polymer delivering 6PP were significantly more tolerant to drought stress than seedlings from seeds coated with the polymer alone (control); exhibiting increased leaf area; root length; chlorophyll content; and photosynthetic rate. To elucidate the mechanisms induced by this molecule; comparative transcriptome analyses were performed in the presence and absence of 6PP under both well-watered and drought conditions; only 49 DEGs were detected under well-watered conditions. In contrast; 476 expressed genes were identified in drought-stressed plants grown from 6PP-coated seeds; indicating substantial transcriptional reprogramming. 6PP treatment reprogrammed stress-responsive gene networks; including pathways associated with photosynthesis; carbohydrate metabolism; phosphorylation-mediated signaling; defense responses; and oxidative stress regulation. In addition; drought-stressed plants treated with 6PP exhibited enhanced MAPK phosphorylation; providing protein-level evidence for activation of phosphorylation-mediated signaling pathways associated with stress tolerance. Functional enrichment analyses further highlight secondary metabolite pathways; including those for phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis; suggesting enhanced production of protective compounds and maintenance of photosynthetic activity under drought stress. Several stress-related genes were modulated prior to drought exposure; indicating a possible priming effect. Collectively; our findings identify 6PP as a potential signaling molecule contributing to enhanced drought resilience and provide new insights into the molecular basis of Trichoderma-mediated stress protection.
Keywords:
transcriptomics
drought tolerance
priming
trichoderma
6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone
mitogen-activated protein kinase activation
fungal volatile organic compounds
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