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.