Modulation of the Genetic Response in Vitis vinifera L. Against the Oomycete Plasmopara viticola, Causing Grapevine Downy Mildew, Through the Action of Different Basic Substances

Grapevine downy mildew is a major disease in vineyards all around the world, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni. Normally, its control depends almost exclusively on chemical and copper-based fungicides, especially in high-incidence areas with high relative humidity and mild temperatures. However, the European Union is determined to reduce the application of these phytochemicals by at least 50% by 2030, forcing winegrowers to seek alternative low-input strategies for proper sanitary maintenance. Basic substances (BSs), described in European Regulation (EC) 1107/2009, stand out as promising alternatives, but their molecular mechanism of action remains mostly unknown. In this context, this study analyzed the genetic effect in grapevine plants of several commercial products composed of BSs (chitosan, soy lecithin, Equisetum arvense and Salix cortex). All products exhibited promising results, triggering the induction of similar defence mechanisms, which included pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs), involved in direct pathogen repression; stilbenes, capable of producing antimicrobial compounds such as resveratrol and pterostilbene; several hormones, including oxylipins, ethylene, salicylic acid and terpenes, mediating immune signalling; and genes related to structural features of the plant, such as lignin, callose, cellulose and cuticular wax, constituting a first physiological barrier against P. viticola. Disease severity reduction differed among treatments, with Salix cortex showing the highest efficacy (58%), followed by BABA (38%) and LESOY (35%), while LECI and CHIT had minor effects (