Transcriptome analysis reveals mechanisms of the disease resistance in postharvest kiwifruit induced by Meyerozyma caribbica

Meyerozyma caribbica, an antagonistic yeast, effectively controls the postharvest blue mold decay of kiwifruit. Our previous study explored the mechanism of M. caribbica inhibiting the postharvest blue mold in kiwifruit at the physiological level, but its molecular mechanism is still unknown. This study investigated the related molecular mechanisms of disease-resistance in kiwifruits induced by M. caribbica based on transcriptome analysis. In addition, the effects of M. caribbica on the natural decay and storage quality of postharvest kiwifruit were investigated. The research showed that M. caribbica could reduce natural decay during kiwifruit storage without an apparent adverse effect on quality. The transcriptome analysis of postharvest kiwifruit found that there were 2916 DEGs, of which 1986 were up-regulated and 930 were down-regulated. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway, flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, glutathione metabolism pathway and phenylpropane biosynthesis pathway were associated with the enhancement of kiwifruit resistance. The analysis of related metabolic pathways and functional analysis of related DEGs showed that M. caribbica could improve the expression of genes related to kiwifruit resistance, which are associated with induction of fruit resistance, mediated substance transport, improvement of cell wall strength, enhancement of plant antioxidant capacity, signal transduction and secondary metabolite synthesis, etc. These results provide a reference for future research on the use of antagonistic yeasts to prevent and control postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables, and provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of antagonistic yeasts.