Measuring Immune-Induced Inhibition of Seedling Growth

Transplant seedlings into wells containing desired concentrations of an immune elicitor peptide — a protein fragment derived from pathogen-associated molecules.

This peptide binds to the pattern recognition receptors, or PRRs, on the plant cells, initiating a signaling cascade.

This cascade includes phosphorylation of respiratory burst oxidase homolog, or RBOH proteins, that become enzymatically active and catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species or ROS.

ROS act as secondary messengers in immune signaling pathways, amplifying the defense response initiated by PRRs, and function as direct antimicrobial agents, inhibiting pathogen growth by damaging their cellular components.

During ROS production, the plant allocates energy and nutrients to support its immune response, diverting resources away from growth-related processes that result in growth inhibition.

Determine the percent growth inhibition in the elicitor-treated seedlings compared to untreated seedlings by correlating their fresh weights.

Increasing concentrations of peptide elicitors inhibit seedling growth due to heightened immune responses and associated biochemical alterations.