From Cellular Preparedness to Intelligent Response: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Differential Tolerance of Date Palm Cultivars to Leaf Drying Disorder

Azizollahi, Fatemeh; Mousavi, Mousa

doi:10.22034/pgr.2025.2070113.1015

From Cellular Preparedness to Intelligent Response: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Differential Tolerance of Date Palm Cultivars to Leaf Drying Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatemeh Azizollahi ^¶

Mousa Mousavi

Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22034/pgr.2025.2070113.1015

Abstract

In recent years, leaf drying disorder has emerged as a major threat to date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production in Iran’s arid and semi-arid regions. Despite its economic significance, the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of seven key stress-responsive genes (OSCA1, FERONIA, FLS2, CERK1, HKT, UVR8, and COLD) in three date palm cultivars (Estamaran, Barhi, and Hallawi) exhibiting contrasting phenotypes: with and without leaf drying symptoms. Our results reveal a two-phase molecular defense strategy in tolerant cultivars (Estamaran and Hallawi). Under non-stress conditions, these cultivars exhibited significantly higher basal expression of OSCA1, FLS2, and HTK, suggesting a state of "pre-emptive defense priming" that likely enhances readiness against osmotic and salinity stresses. Conversely, upon symptom development, tolerant cultivars showed marked upregulation of FERONIA and CERK1, indicating an intelligent, pathogen-responsive immune activation, potentially against fungal agents implicated in the disorder. In contrast, the susceptible cultivar (Barhi) displayed dysregulated expression: elevated UVR8 and COLD1 levels correlated with accelerated leaf senescence and water loss, while reduced OSCA1 and HTK expression was associated with impaired ion homeostasis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that tolerance to leaf drying is not governed by a single gene but by a coordinated, multi-stage defense system involving both pre-stress preparedness and stress-responsive immunity. These results provide a foundational framework for developing molecular markers and cultivar-specific breeding strategies to mitigate this emerging threat in date palm cultivation.

Keywords

Gene expression

Biotic stress

Abiotic stress

Leaf drying disorder

Date palm

Subjects

Genetic engineering

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