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Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane_Claudia_Meinerz.pdf: 977726 bytes, checksum: 47602589d307d4398cc6061bcd0d1eeb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Induction of resistance involves the activation of plant defense mechanisms in response to treatment with biotic or abiotic elicitors. The application of plant extracts in order to induce resistance mechanisms is an interesting alternative to chemical control, however, besides the presence of inducers, can occur the presence of suppressors. This study aimed to partially purificate through gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and precipitation with ammonium sulfate (SA), compounds present in decoct of Adiantum capillus-veneris, capable to induce defense mechanisms in sorghum mesocotyls, including phytoalexins and peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and chitinase. The decoct 1% was fractionated with concentrations of ammonium sulfate, 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80% and 80-100% of SA and those fractions were subjected to GFC. We obtained nine protein peaks and one glucosic peak for decoct with molecular weights ranging from 0.61 to 0.01 KDa; to fraction 0-20% were obtained two protein and two glucosic peaks, with molecular weights lower than 0.01 KDa, and concentration of sugars ranging from 4.1 to 17.5 mg mL-1; to fraction 20-40% were obtained three protein peaks (0.98 to 111.5 KDa) and five glucosic peaks (11.3 to 73.7 mg mL-1); to fraction 40-60% were obtained two protein peaks (0.09 to 111.5 KDa) and two glucosic peaks (5.6 to 7.5 mg mL-1); to fraction 60-80% were obtained six protein peaks (lower than 0.02 KDa) and two glucosic peaks (16.5 to 51.3 mg mL-1); and to fraction 80-100% were obtained three protein peaks (lower than 0.09 KDa). Sorghum mesocotyl were treated with fractions from the GFC, and decoct, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) (125 mg L-1 of a. i. as elicitor of reference) and sodium phosphate buffer 10 mM pH 6.0. After incubation of 96 h were measured the levels of phytoalexins in mesocotyls and the activity of defense-related enzymes in leaves. Treatment with peak II (0,09 KDa) induced phytoalexin 6.68% more than. Among the fractionn, 60-80% increased 76% compared to ASM. To peroxidase the peak IV (lower than 0,01 KDa) increased 21% the activity compared to control water, and 44% compared to ASM. For the fraction 0-20% the protein peak II (lower than 0,01 KDa) increased 39% the activity in relation to the fraction 0-20% and 19% in relation to decoct. The fraction, 80-100% increased 89% compared to, ASM. For the PPO the peak VI (lower than 0,01 KDa) from decoct decreased 88% the activity compared to ASM. For PAL the peak II (lower than 0,01 KDa) from fraction 0-20% was 91% higher than decoct. For chitinase 1% peak IV (lower than 0,01 KDa) from decoct was 68% higher than the ASM. It was possible to induce defense mechanisms in sorghum by the application of partially purified fractions from A. capillus-veneris, which can allow to obtain new molecules and development alternative methods to control plant diseases / A indução de resistência envolve a ativação de mecanismos de defesa latentes existentes nas plantas em resposta ao tratamento com agentes bióticos ou abióticos. A aplicação de extratos vegetais visando à indução de mecanismos de resistência é uma alternativa interessante ao controle químico, entretanto, nestes extratos pode ocorrer além da presença de indutores, a presença de supressores. Este trabalho teve por objetivo a purificação parcial, por meio de cromatografia de filtração em gel (CFG) e precipitação com sulfato de amônio (SA), de compostos presentes em decocto de avenca (Adiantum capillus-veneris), eficientes na indução de mecanismos de defesa em mesocótilos de sorgo, incluindo as fitoalexina deoxiantocianidinas e as proteínas peroxidase, polifenoloxidase, fenilalanina amônia-liase e quitinase, buscando selecionar frações potencialmente eficientes na indução de resistência em plantas. Decocto (EA 1%) de A. capillus-veneris foi fracionado com concentrações de sulfato de amônio de 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80% e 80-100% e esses cortes foram submetidos à cromatografia de filtração em gel (CFG). Foram obtidos nove picos protéicos e um pico glicídico para EA 1% com massas moleculares variando de 0,61 à 0,01 KDa; no corte 0-20% foram obtidos dois picos protéicos e dois glicídicos, com massas moleculares menores que 0,01 KDa, e concentração de açúcares redutores variando de 4,1 a 17,5 µg mL-1; no corte 20-40% três picos protéicos (111,5 à 0,98 KDa) e cinco glicídicos (11,3 a 73,7 µg mL-1 de açúcares); no corte 40-60% dois picos protéicos (111,5 à 0,09 KDa) e dois glicídicos (5,6 a 7,5 µg mL-1); no corte 60-80% seis picos protéicos (menor que 0,02 KDa) e dois glicídicos (16,5 a 51,3 µg mL-1); e no corte 80-100% três picos protéicos (menor que 0,09 KDa). Mesocótilos de sorgo foram tratados com as frações provenientes da CFG, além do decocto a 1%, acibenzolar-S-metil (ASM) (125 mg. L-1 do i.a. como elicitor de referência) e tampão fosfato de sódio 10 mM pH 6,0, totalizando 42 tratamentos. Após incubação por um período de 96 h, avaliou-se dos teores de fitoalexinas nos mesocótilos e análises bioquímicas dos folíolos. O tratamento pico II (0,09 KDa) do EA 1% mostrou-se eficiente na indução de fitoalexinas, sendo superior em 6,68% ao ASM. Entre os cortes, 60-80% permitiu incremento de 76% em relação ao ASM. Para peroxidase o pico IV (menor que 0,01 KDa) do EA 1% incrementou 21% a atividade em relação a testemunha água e 44% ao ASM. Para os precipitados 0-20% o pico protéico II (menor que 0,01 KDa) promoveu incremento de 39% na atividade em relação ao corte 0-20% e 19% para o EA 1%. O precipitado 80-100% foi superior 89% ao ASM. Para polifenoloxidase o pico protéico VI (menor que 0,01 KDa) do EA1% reduziu 88% a atividade em relação ao ASM. Para fenilalanina amônia-liase o pico protéico II (menor que 0,01 KDa) do corte 0-20% foi 91% superior ao EA 1%. Para quitinase o pico protéico IV (menor que 0,01 KDa) do EA 1% foi 68% superior ao ASM. Foi possível induzir mecanismos de defesa em sorgo pela aplicação de frações parcialmente purificadas de A. capillus-veneris, o que pode permitir a obtenção de novas moléculas e o desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos para controle de doenças em plantas

La phototransformation des matières actives à la surface des plantes après pulvérisation a une influence considérable sur l’efficacité des traitements. Dans ce travail, l’ensemble des réactions photochimiques se produisant sur des supports modèles des cires végétales dans des conditions proches des conditions environnementales ont été étudiées dans le cas d’un fongicide (le chlorothalonil) et d’un herbicide (la cycloxydime). Nous avons considéré les réactions photochimiques induites par l’absorption de lumière par les composés eux-mêmes et celles faisant intervenir des sensibilisateurs comme les métabolites secondaires des plantes. Dans chacun des cas, des études mécanistiques détaillées ont été conduites. Nous montrons que le chlorothalonil possède la capacité remarquable de produire de l’oxygène singulet avec un rendement quantique proche de l’unité. En parallèle, la réactivité de la cycloxydime avec l’oxygène singulet a été montrée. De ce fait, la phototransformation de la cycloxydime sur film de cire est accélérée lorsque des sensibilisateurs naturels, tels que les phytoalexines sont ajoutés à la cire, ou lorsque des traces de chlorothalonil sont présents à la surface du modèle foliaire. Ce travail a permis 1) de comprendre le mécanisme de phototransformation par excitation directe et sensibilisées du chlorothalonil et de la cycloxydime, 2) de mesurer de nombreuses données physico-chimiques (constantes de vitesse de réaction, rendements quantiques, durées de vie, caractéristiques spectrales des transitoires) et 3) de mettre au point un protocole expérimental permettant d’étudier la photochimie de molécules à l’état solide incluses dans des films de cire. / The phototransformation of active ingredients on plant surfaces after spraying has a significant impact on the treatment efficiency. In this work, the photochemical reactions taking place on leaf models and environmental conditions close to real ones have been overviewed for two pesticides: chlorothalonil and cycloxydim. We considered the photochemical reactions induced by light absorption by the compounds themselves and the reactions involving natural sensitizers such as plants secondary metabolites. Detailed mechanistic studies were conducted. We show that chlorothalonil has a noteworthy capacity to produce singlet oxygen with a quantum yield close to unity. Besides, the reactivity of cycloxydim towards singlet oxygen was demonstrated. Hence, the phototransformation of cycloxydim deposited on wax films is accelerated when natural sensitizers, such as phytoalexins, are included in the wax, or when chlorothalonil traces are present on the leaf model. This work allowed 1) to understand the mechanism of phototransformation by direct excitation and sensitization of chlorothalonil and cycloxydim, 2) to measure many physicochemical data (reaction rate constants, quantum yields, lifetime, spectral characteristics oft ransients and 3) to put in work an experimental protocol for the photochemical study of organic compounds in solid state and included in wax films.

Stilbene phytoalexins such as resveratrol, 1, and the arachidins, including arachidin-1,2, are naturally synthesised by peanut (Arachis hypogaea) plants. The peanut phytoalexins are polyphenolic compounds consisting of a stilbene backbone, with a number of derivatives also possessing a prenyl moiety. These distinctive phytoalexins have gained attention, as they exhibit various biological activities, for instance arachidin-1, 2, has been reported to be more potent than resveratrol, 1, in the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and COX-2 mRNA, in vitro at doses that were low in cytotoxicity. Additionally the various arachidins have recently been shown to exhibit their anti-inflammatory properties, through the inhibition of a number of inflammatory mediator pathways. In this work, various routes into the synthesis of arachidin-1, 2, are described, via use of the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction. Three different methodologies were explored, the first approach involving silyl ether (TIPS or TBDMS) protected benzaldehydes, proved unsuccessful due to cleavage of the silyl ether protecting groups, in basic and/or acidic conditions. This led to an alternative approach, whereby formation of the stilbene backbone proceeded via the regioselective demethylation of an acetal in the presence of sodium metal, subsequent electrophilic substitution using iodomethane and finally acetal hydrolysis of the acetal, gave the isolated aldehyde in moderate yield (52 %). Coupling of the aldehyde with the substituted benzylphosphonate, via the HWE reaction gave the desired trans-stilbene in good yield (86 %), however incorporation of the prenyl side chain proved to be challenging via the Wohl-Ziegler bromination. Further adaptation of the aforementioned route, whereby alkylation using diethyl iodomethylphosphonate, enabled the incorporation of the prenyl moiety and the subsequent construction of the trans-stilbene backbone, gave the 4-(3-methyl-but-1- enyl)-3,5,3',4'-tetramethoxystilbene, 3, albeit in poor yield (47 %). The final step involving demethylation using BBr3 gave arachidin-1, 2, also in poor yield (30 %), nevertheless this approach has been proved to be a successful route for the total synthesis of arachidin-1, 2, however optimised studies are required in order to obtain the desired compound in quantitative yields. Synthetic analogues of resveratrol, 1, are also known for their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and chemopreventative properties. Recently, the anti-proliferative activity of a number of stilbenesulfonamides, against the National Cancer Institute's 60 (NCI-60) human tumour cell line has been reported. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of novel heterocyclic methylsulfone and sulfonamide analogues, via inhibition of the COX-2 protein have also been published, however both synthetic routes described require a total of six or seven steps, from the sulfanilamide and are limited to the synthesis of primary sulphonamides (SO2NH2). In this work, an efficient three step synthesis has been designed and successfully implemented, proceeding via chlorosulfonation of diethyl benzylphosphonate, to form the sulfonyl chloride intermediate. Aminolysis of the sulfonyl chloride intermediate was then performed, using a range of primary, secondary and cyclic alkyl amines, as well as aromatic amines; including ammonia, dimethylamine, morpholine and diphenylamine. Finally, formation of the stilbene backbone with various substituted aldehydes, via the HWE reaction offered a short, versatile and alternative route to the synthesis of novel primary, secondary and tertiary trans-stilbene benzenesulfonamides and heterocyclic analogues, in yields of 42 - 100 %. The activity of a selection of the synthesised stilbene benzenesulfonamides was evaluated against the human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549). Amongst the compounds tested, analysis of the data showed that the novel analogue, 4, was found to be the most potent compound, with a GI50 of 0.1 μM. Comparison with the previously published data found analogue, 4, to be approximately 500-fold more potent than the lead compound resveratrol, 1, (GI50 = 51.64 μM) and approximately twice as potent than 5-fluorouracil (GI50 = 0.189μM), a chemotherapy drug used to treat various forms of cancer 8. Overall, these results demonstrate that the total synthesis of trans-arachidin-1, 2, can be achieved via a five step methodology. A versatile route to the synthesis of novel stilbene benzenesulfonamides has also been successfully achieved, amongst the compounds synthesised one appears to show promising anticancer activity, and warrants further investigation (i.e. in vitro studies using other cancer cell lines, and the synthesis of additional compounds using analogue, 4, as a lead compound).

La vigne est soumise à la pression de nombreux bioagresseurs dont des parasites obligatoires tels que l’oïdium et le mildiou. La lutte contre les maladies causées par les pathogènes biotrophes nécessite une utilisation souvent intensive de fongicides. Le vignoble consomme à lui seul 16% des fongicides commercialisés chaque année en France. Pour réduire leur impact environnemental qui conduit à l’acquisition de la résistance aux pesticides des pathogène et la présence de résidus dans les vins et dans l’atmosphère, des efforts doivent être entrepris pour développer des stratégies de protection innovante de remplacement ou complémentaire permettant de réduire les intrants pesticides.Les stimulateurs des défenses des plantes permettent de limiter le développement des bioagresseurs en conditions contrôlées. Toutefois, leurs efficacités in natura sont variables et souvent décevantes. Suite au grand nombre de produits potentiellement stimulateurs des défenses des plantes, et à l’intérêt que leur portent les viticulteurs, il est nécessaire de disposer de connaissances et d’outils qui permettent d’évaluer leus efficacités et mieux connaitre leurs potentiels de protection du vignoble. Pour ce faire, une méthode d’évaluation de l’efficacité de produits potentialisateurs ou éliciteurs a été développée au niveau biologique, moléculaire (expression de gènes impliqués dans les défenses) et biochimique (analyses qualitatives et quantitatives des polyphénols), nommée "BioMolChem". Cette méthode a permis d’évaluer l’efficacité de deux phosphonates et d’un analogue de l’acide salicylique, sur différents génotypes et phénotypes de mildiou de la vigne et d’oïdium. Cette approche méthodologique "BioMolChem" a permis d’établir des corrélations entre l’expression de gènes de défense, la présence de certains stilbènes et une efficacité des défenses de Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon vis-à-vis de l’oïdium et du mildiou. Les modifications des patrons d’expression des 19 gènes suivis dans les feuilles de vigne et les profils HPLC de polyphénols révèlent des mécanismes de défense multigéniques et complexes. Ainsi, les réactions de défense de la plante sont-elles modulées, en fonction de l’éliciteur considéré, mais aussi en fonction de la diversité phénotypique et génétique des agents pathogènes contre lesquels elle se défend. Ces défenses se caractérisent par une sur-expression d’un ensemble de gènes de défense et une accumulation de composés phénoliques spécifiques.Les marqueurs (gènes et molécules) ainsi identifiés, la méthode "BioMolChem" a été appliquée in natura et a conforté, pour partie, les résultats obtenus au laboratoire. Dans des conditions de fortes pressions parasitaires, il est donc possible de protéger les feuilles et les grappes, à l’aide de SDP et des essais d’association ou d’alternance avec des fongicides conventionnels montrent l’intérêt potentiel de l’emploi des SDP au vignoble. Chemin faisant, dans le cadre d’une viticulture innovante et durable, les SDP et la méthode "BioMolChem" ont été appliqués sur des génotypes hybrides (Vitis vinifera x Muscadinia rotundifolia). Nous révélons que selon le niveau de résistance intrinsèque des génotypes (plus ou moins résistants à l’oïdium et au mildiou), il est possible d’augmenter le niveau de la résistance exprimée par élicitation. Ainsi, les SDP pourraient-ils s’avérer des alliés d’intérêt pour l’utilisation de variétés partiellement résistantes et limiter potentiellement le contournement des QTL de résistance. L’ensemble de ce travail, à but appliqué, a conduit à l’obtention de résultats qui nous permettent de mieux comprendre comment la vigne réagit aux SDP dans son environnement agronomique. Leur exploitation et leur finalisation devraient nous permettre d’exploiter et de mettre en place une utilisation des éliciteurs mieux adaptée, à des stratégies alternatives ou complémentaires de la gestion des bioagresseurs de la vigne. / Powdery (Erysiphe necator) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) are very important grapevine diseases (Vitis vinifera). These two biotrophic pathogens, which are native to the United States, infect green vine tissues and cause significant economic loss as well as environmental damage through the repetitive applications of fungicides. To reduce their environmental impact efforts should be made to develop strategies to protect innovative alternative or complementary to reduce pesticide inputs.In this study, the efficacy and the role of Benzothiadiazole (BTH), a salicylic acid analogue, and two phosphonate derivatives strengthen plant defence mechanisms against various isolates of downy and powdery mildews (Plasmopara viticola and Erysiphe necator). These compounds showed differences in their efficacy depending on the variability of mildews and highly dependent on plant genetics, environmental conditions and selection pressure. The plant defense stimulation could be an alternative or additional method to traditional pest management in the grapevine.Tools “BioMolChem” were developed to better assess the defence status of the plant defences in vitro and in natura. Transcript kinetics of selected defence-related genes and polyphenol contents profiles, during Vitis vinifera-biotrophic pathogen interaction, were characterized, and the impact of pathogen diversity was investigated in the absence or presence of elicitation. In vineyard, under strong pathogen pressures, it is thus possible to protect leaves and clusters, with SDP and assays of association or alternation with conventional fungicides show the potential interest of the use of these SDP in the vineyard.The grapevine defense mechanisms are complex, depending on the elicitor, leading to the coordinated accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins (PR), the production of phytoalexins, and the reinforcement of plant cell walls.On the way, within the framework of an innovative and sustainable viticulture, the SDP was applied to hybrid genotypes (V. vinifera x M. rotundifolia). We reveal that according to the level of intrinsic resistance of the genotypes (more or less resistant to powdery and to downy mildew), it is possible to increase the level of the expressed resistance. The SDP could become allies of interest in the use of partially resistant grapevine varieties.The present findings provide insights into the potential use of transcripts and stilbenes as markers of the defense status of grapevine leaves with or without elicitation or infection, which should allow us to exploit and develop a better use of elicitors in alternative or complementary strategies in grapevine pest management.

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Maîtriser l’impact des maladies sur les cultures est un défi majeur de l’agriculture moderne. Cette préoccupation est un aspect important de l’optimisation de la productivité, notamment en viticulture. En France, le mildiou de la vigne causé par Plasmopara viticola est une des maladies cryptogamiques responsable des épidémies les plus dévastatrices et les plus redoutées. Les traitements reposent sur l’utilisation préventive, systématique et onéreuse de composés chimiques antifongiques dont l’utilisation massive constitue un risque à la fois pour l’homme et l’environnement. La réduction de l’utilisation de fongicide implique le développement d’outils de diagnostic au champ, qui requiert la compréhension des interactions entre la plante et les agents pathogènes. Les travaux de cette thèse pluridisciplinaire ont porté sur le pathosystème Plasmopara viticola - Vitis vinifera, notamment pour répondre à l’intérêt croissant pour un outil de diagnostic en temps réel de la maladie utilisable au vignoble. Les stilbènes sont des phytoalexines impliqués dans la défense de certaines plantes supérieures vis-à-vis de stress biotiques et abiotiques. L’autofluorescence de ces composés phénoliques, dont la biosynthèse est induite dans les feuilles de vigne par P. viticola, en fait un potentiel marqueur naturel de l’infection. En effet, la faible autofluorescence bleu-verte des feuilles de vigne saines est considérablement renforcée par l’autofluorescence violet-bleue des stilbènes à la surface de feuilles de vigne infectée par P. viticola. Cette étude a montré que quelque soit le niveau de résistance du génotype, l’autofluorescence violet-bleue des stilbènes induit par l’infection est présente au niveau des parois des cellules de l’épiderme. En dehors de la concentration, la viscosité s’est révélé être la principale variable physico-chimique influençant l’intensité de l’autofluorescence des stilbènes dans les différents compartiments cellulaires des feuilles de vigne. Ceci explique la fluorescence intense des parois, particulièrement rigides, des cellules de garde (stomates) des feuilles infectées. Le suivi cinétique journalier a révélé la nature transitoire de l’autofluorescence des stilbènes lors de l’infection. La robustesse et l’intérêt de ce signal a également été validée par la mesure à différentes échelles (de la cellule à la feuille entière) et avec différentes méthodes fluorimétriques. Les résultats de ce travail ont permis des avancées sur la connaissance du rôle de composés phénoliques induits et constitutifs dans la défense contre P. viticola. En plus de la localisation de l’autofluorescence des stilbènes en surface des feuilles, la microscopie confocale couplée à la microspectrofluorimetrie a révélé différentes localisations de ces phytoalexines dans la profondeur des tissus en corrélation avec le niveau de résistance des génotypes. L’utilisation de l’autofluorescence des stilbènes comme marqueur de l’infection a permis de mettre en évidence : 1) le fait que les flavonols constitutifs des feuilles de V. vinifera retardent le développement de l’infection par P. viticola; et 2) le fait que les acides hydroxycinnamiques constitutifs ne semble pas participer à la défense contre P. viticola. Enfin, une nouvelle méthode de diagnostic non-destructive du mildiou sur feuille basée sur l’autofluorescence des stilbènes a été développée. Elle a montré une détection pré-symptomatique du mildiou sur les feuilles de vigne entières dès le premier jour après l’infection sur la face abaxiale et le troisième jour sur la face adaxiale. Cette méthode de diagnostic du mildiou a été validée au laboratoire notamment grâce à un prototype de capteur proximal développé en collaboration avec la société Force-A. La validation de la méthode au vignoble dans le cadre d’infection naturelle est la prochaine étape pour une utilisation de ce capteur optique dans le cadre de l’agriculture durable et de la sélection variétale. / Controlling the impact of diseases on crops is a major challenge of modern agriculture. This concern is an important aspect of optimizing productivity, notably in viticulture. In France, downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola is a fungal disease responsible for the most devastating epidemics. The preventive and systematic treatments are expensive, while the massive use of antifungal chemicals is a risk to both humans and the environment. Reducing the use of fungicide involves the development of diagnostic tools in the field, which requires understanding the interactions between plants and pathogens. The work of this multidisciplinary thesis focused on the pathosystem Plasmopara viticola - Vitis vinifera, especially to meet the growing interest in a real-time diagnostic tool of disease applicable in the vineyard. Stilbenes are phytoalexins involved in the defense of certain higher plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. The autofluorescence of these phenolic compounds, whose biosynthesis is induced in grapevine leaves by P. viticola, makes it a potential marker of natural infection. Indeed, the low blue-green autofluorescence of grapevine leaves is greatly enhanced by the violet-blue autofluorescence of stilbenes on the surface of leaves infected by P. viticola. This study showed that whatever the level of resistance in various genotypes, violet-blue autofluorescence induced by stilbene is present in the walls of epidermal cells. In addition to their concentration, viscosity proved the main physico-chemical variable affecting the intensity of the autofluorescence of stilbenes in different compartments of vine leaves. This explains the intense fluorescence of the walls, particularly rigid, of guard cells (stomata) of infected leaves. Daily monitoring revealed a kinetic with a transient rise of the autofluorescence of stilbenes during infection. The robustness and value of this signal was also validated by measuring at different levels (cellular to whole leaf) and with various fluorimetric methods (imaging, spectroscopy, proximal sensing). These results advance our understanding of the role of constitutive and induced phenolic compounds in plant defence against P. viticola. In addition to a common location of the autofluorescence of stilbenes on the leaf surface, confocal microscopy coupled with microspectrofluorometry revealed distinctive localizations of these phytoalexins in the deep tissue correlated with the level of resistance in genotypes. This aspect no doubt needs broader testing. The use of autofluorescence of stilbene as a marker of infection allowed us to ascertain that: 1) constitutive flavonols of the leaves of V. vinifera retard the development of infection by P. viticola and 2) the constitutive hydroxycinnamic acids do not seem to participate in the defence against P. viticola. Finally, a new method for the non-destructive diagnosis of leaf infection based on the autofluorescence of stilbenes has been developed. We have demonstrated a pre-symptomatic detection of downy mildew on whole grape leaves from the first day after infection on the abaxial surface and from the third day on the adaxial surface. This method of diagnosis has been validated in the laboratory thanks to a proximal sensor prototype developed in collaboration with the company Force-A. The validation of the method in the vineyard in a context of natural infections is the next step for use of this optical sensor as a tool for sustainable agriculture and for genetic screening.