Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42584494›Full record

ArticlePlant cell reports2026

Benzoic acid inhibits peach root growth and lateral root emergence by disrupting auxin homeostasis through salicylic acid accumulation.

Qing Rong Zhang, Jilin Yao, Feiyang Ji, Zhilin Sun, Bing Bai, Jun Zhao, Huchen Li, Yueping Liu, Qingqin Cao, Qing Zhang and 1 more

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Article in Plant cell reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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11 authors.

Qing Rong Zhang *College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Jilin Yao *College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Feiyang JiCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Zhilin SunSchool of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Bing BaiCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Jun ZhaoCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010019, China.
Huchen LiCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Yueping LiuCollege of Biology and Resources and Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of North China Urban Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 102206, China.
Qingqin CaoCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
Qing ZhangCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China. zhangqing@bua.edu.cn.
Ting Ting XiaoCollege of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China. tingting.xiao@bua.edu.cn.

Funding

Science and Technology Innovation Capacity Enhancement Plan Mechanisms of Plant-Microbe Interactions Mediated by Peach Secondary Metabolites in Continuous Cropping Soil under the 2023 Classification and Development Project of Beijing University of Agriculture 5076016183/069Talent Development Program of Beijing University of Agriculture 5066516008/009Talent Introduction Start-up Fund from the 2024 Classification and Development Project of Beijing University of Agriculture 5066516006/005)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

key messageWe established a non-sterile root transformation system in peach seedlings. Using this system, we demonstrated that BA treatment inhibits plant growth and lateral root emergence by SA-mediated disruption of auxin distribution. Allelopathic autotoxins, particularly benzoic acid (BA), are recognized as primary contributors to peach (Prunus persica) replant disease; however, the molecular mechanisms by which BA disrupts root development remain poorly understood. BA treatment significantly reduced stem and root length and inhibited lateral root emergence without affecting lateral root initiation. To investigate the underlying mechanism at cellular resolution, we established a non-sterile Agrobacterium rhizogenes-based root transformation system achieving 27.11% transformation efficiency. Auxin biosynthesis (PpYUC10), influx transport (PpAUX1), and response (PpARF19) genes were markedly downregulated following BA treatment. Transgenic roots expressing the DR5::GUS auxin reporter exhibited reduced DR5 activity in root tips and suppressed expression in tissues surrounding lateral root primordia, indicating impaired auxin signaling at both developmental sites. Hormone profiling revealed a non-significant trend toward reduced auxin metabolites alongside significant accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), an auxin-antagonistic hormone, and its storage conjugate SA 2-O-β-glucoside. Supporting a causal role for SA, exogenous SA phenocopied BA-induced root growth inhibition, whereas co-treatment with IAA or the SA-biosynthesis inhibitor aminoindan-1-phosphonic acid (AIP) significantly rescued lateral root number and root fresh weight. Multi-treatment RNA-seq identified "response to auxin" and "response to salicylic acid" as the most enriched GO terms in BA-treated roots, and AIP treatment restored the expression of key auxin-related genes while reversing BA-induced SA-pathway changes. Together, these findings suggest that BA-induced SA accumulation suppresses auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling, thereby inhibiting peach root growth and lateral root emergence. This study elucidates the molecular basis of BA autotoxicity and establishes a transformation platform for functional genomic studies in Prunus.

Indexed as

Benzoic AcidIndoleacetic AcidsPlant RootsPrunus persicaSalicylic AcidGene Expression Regulation, PlantHomeostasisPlant Growth RegulatorsPlant ProteinsPlants, Genetically ModifiedSeedlingsBenzoic AcidIndoleacetic AcidsPlant Growth RegulatorsPlant ProteinsSalicylic AcidAuxinBenzoic acidPrunus persicaRoot growthRoot transformation systemSalicylic acid

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.