Changes in benzoxazinoid contents and the expression of the associated genes in rye (Secale cereale L.) due to brown rust and the inoculation procedure

Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are secondary metabolites with diverse functions, but are primarily involved in protecting plants, mainly from the family Poaceae, against insects and fungal pathogens. Rye is a cereal crop that is highly resistant to biotic stresses. However, its susceptibility to brown rust caused by Puccinia recondita f. sp. secalis (Prs) is still a major problem affecting its commercial production. Additionally, the genetic and metabolic factors related to this disease remain poorly characterized. In this study, we investigated whether and to what extent the brown rust infection and the inoculation procedure affect the contents of specific BXs (HBOA, GDIBOA, DIBOA, GDIMBOA, DIMBOA, and MBOA) and the expression of genes related to BX (ScBx1–5, ScIgl, and Scglu). We revealed that treatments with water and a urediniospore suspension usually downregulate gene expression levels. Moreover, HBOA and DIBOA contents decreased, whereas the contents of the remaining metabolites increased. Specifically, the MBOA content increased more after the mock treatment than after the Prs treatment, whereas the increase in GDIBOA and GDIMBOA levels was usually due to the Prs infection, especially at two of the most critical time-points, 17 and 24 h post-treatment. Therefore, GDIBOA and GDIMBOA are glucosides that are important components of rye defence responses to brown rust. Furthermore, along with MBOA, they protect rye against the stress associated with the inoculation procedure used in this study.