Sodium silicate prime defense responses in harvested muskmelon by regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species production

The effects of postharvest treatment with sodium silicate (Si) (100 mM) on mitochondrial ROS production and energy metabolism of the muskmelon fruits (cv. Yujinxiang) on development of defense responses to Trichothecium roseum were studied. Si treatment decreased decay severity of inoculated muskmelons, enhanced the activities of energy metabolism of key enzymes and kept the intracellular ATP at a higher level; meanwhile, Si also induced the mtROS accumulation such as H2O2 and superoxide anion. TMT-based quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that a total of 24 proteins with significant differences in abundance involved in energy metabolism, defense and stress responses, glycolytic and TCA cycle, and oxidation-reduction process. It is suggested by our study that melon fruit mitochondria, when induced by Si treatments, play a key role in priming of host resistance against T. roseum infection through the regulation of energy metabolism and ROS production in the pathogen infected muskmelon fruits.