An Antifungal Role of Hydrogen Sulfide on Botryosphaeria Dothidea and Amino Acid Metabolism Involved in Disease Resistance Induced in Postharvest Kiwifruit

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a major pathogen responsible for postharvest kiwifruit soft rot. This study aimed to determine the influence of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on postharvest resistance to kiwifruit soft rot and the antifungal role of H(2)S against B. dothidea. The results indicated that H(2)S (20 μl L(−1)) restricted the lesion area following inoculation with B. dothidea. H(2)S enhanced the production of shikimic acid, tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine while also increasing the total phenols, flavonoids, and lignin. H(2)S upregulated the expression of AcDHQS, AcSDH, AcSK, AcPAL, AcCAD, and AcCHS. Additionally, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS)-released H(2)S inhibited mycelial growth. NaHS concentrations of 20 and 40 mmol L(−1) significantly decreased the mycelial weight and malondialdehyde content (MDA) content while increasing cell membrane conductivity and membrane leakage. The results indicate that H(2)S induces resistance in kiwifruit via a microbicidal role and amino acid metabolism involved in postharvest kiwifruit disease resistance.