NCR13 peptide protects soybean against Cercospora sojina using multi-faceted modes of action and additive interaction with chemical fungicides.

NCR13_PFV1 peptide exhibits antifungal activity against both QoI-sensitive and -resistant Cercospora sojina isolates at low micromolar concentrations, offering a new control option for soybean leaf spot.

• Why it matters: Frogeye leaf spot caused by C. sojina threatens soybean yields, and resistance to traditional QoI fungicides limits control options, highlighting the need for alternative strategies.
• What they did: Researchers tested NCR13_PFV1, a chickpea cysteine-rich peptide, demonstrating its ability to protect soybean plants through multiple modes of action, including membrane disruption, ROS induction, and ribosomal RNA binding, with additive effects when combined with azoxystrobin.
• The result: NCR13_PFV1 effectively protected soybean against FLS without phytotoxicity, and its activity was influenced by iron availability, suggesting its potential as a bio-fungicide to overcome fungicide resistance.