Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 11 (2025)

Pathogenesis-related proteins response in citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) infected by Curvularia andropogonis

ROFIATUN SOLEKHA (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Technology and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan. Jl. Plalangan Km. 3, Lamongan 62218, East Java, Indonesia)
M. AINUL MAHBUBILLAH (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Technology and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan. Jl. Plalangan Km. 3, Lamongan 62218, East Java, Indonesia)
M. BADRUT TAMAM (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Technology and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan. Jl. Plalangan Km. 3, Lamongan 62218, East Java, Indonesia)
FADHILATUSTSANI SOFIALANA (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Technology and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan. Jl. Plalangan Km. 3, Lamongan 62218, East Java, Indonesia)
ALIFIA HAYA AS-SYIFA (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Technology and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan. Jl. Plalangan Km. 3, Lamongan 62218, East Java, Indonesia)
ACHMAD DJAZULI (Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik. Jl. Sumatera No. 101, Gresik 61121, East Java, Indonesia)
HERY PURNOBASUKI (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Nov 2025

Abstract

Abstract. Solekha R, Mahbubillah MA, Tamam MB, Sofialana F, As-Syifa AH, Djazuli A, Purnobasuki H. 2025. Pathogenesis-related proteins response in citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) infected by Curvularia andropogonis. Biodiversitas 26: 5485-5494. The development and growth of citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) are often hindered by Curvularia andropogonis fungal infection, which causes leaf disease. One key approach is to identify the expression of Pathogenesis-Related (PR)-17 and PKS type III defense proteins in citronella after C. andropogonis infection, serving as a model for counterattacking fungal infection. This study aimed to (i) determine chalcone synthase enzyme activity in C. nardus against C. andropogonis infection, (ii) identify the PR-17 response of C. nardus leaves, and (iii) identify the metabolic variations of flavonoid derivatives of C. nardus leaves. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was carried out to analyze the enzyme activity. Protein identification was performed using sodium dodecyl sulfate. The variation of secondary metabolites was measured using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The results indicated that the enzyme CHS activity in infected C. nardus leaves had increased significantly compared to healthy leaves. PR-17, PR-2, and PR-3 were only expressed in C. nardus infected with C. andropogonis. Profile of flavonoid-derived metabolites in C. nardus infected with C. andropogonis changed significantly, involving seven flavonoid-derived metabolites. The activation of CHS, accompanied by elevated expression of defense-related proteins and increased levels of flavonoid derivatives, creates a synergistic defense strategy in infected C. nardus. These responses strengthen the plant immunity, restrict fungal colonization, and enhance overall resistance, making them important indicators of plant-pathogen interactions.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...