Expression of antioxidant genes and photosynthetic apparatus in the soybean crop in competition with Italian ryegrass biotypes.

Crop-weed competition induces stress in plants causing physiological changes which can be evaluated using the RT-qPCR technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of candidate reference genes and measure the relative gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and components of the photosynthetic apparatus in soybean in competition with glyphosate-susceptible and resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using replacement series between soybean and Italian ryegrass biotypes. In this study, candidate reference genes were evaluated for use as controls in RT-qPCR to quantify gene expression. An evaluation was made of genes that encode catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, chlorophyll a/b, phytochrome A and cytochrome P450 at 50 days after emergence of the soybean. The SKIP and GAPDH genes were the most stable for soybean and Italian ryegrass, respectively. The soybean subjected to the interspecific competition with the glyphosate-resistant Italian ryegrass biotype showed an increase in superoxide dismutase gene expression. The catalase and cytochrome P450 genes were up-regulated in the susceptible biotype while the other genes were down-regulated. However, the soybean crop under interspecific competition with glyphosate-resistant biotye showed as up-regulated for all the genes evaluated. For the photosynthetic apparatus, cytochrome P450 gene was up-regulated under intraspecific competition on both Italian ryegrass biotypes, while the phytochrome A was up-regulated only in the resistant biotype. Thus, the increase in genes investigated represents a potential tool for the genetic improvement of plants to enhance their competitive capacity