Journal of Fungi

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16 pages, 8336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morpho-Molecular Identification of Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium oxysporum Associated with Symptomatic Wilting of Potato from Pakistan

by Arsh Bibi, Fathia Mubeen, Ali Rizwan, Irfan Ullah, Masooma Hammad, Muhammad Abu Bakar Waqas, Ayesha Ikram, Zaheer Abbas, Dennis Halterman and Nasir Ahmad Saeed

J. Fungi 2024, 10(10), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100701 - 8 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1015

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the emerging staple crops in Pakistan, with Punjab producing over 95% of the country’s potatoes. Wilt is an emerging threat to the potato crop worldwide, including in Pakistan. We identified and characterized Fusarium species associated [...] Read more.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the emerging staple crops in Pakistan, with Punjab producing over 95% of the country’s potatoes. Wilt is an emerging threat to the potato crop worldwide, including in Pakistan. We identified and characterized Fusarium species associated with potato wilt in Pakistan through morphological and molecular analyses. Samples were collected during the 2020–2022 potato seasons from five major potato-growing regions: Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Pakpattan, Kamalia, and Faisalabad. Morphological characterization, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, specific translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify six different Fusarium species: F. oxysporum, F. equiseti, F. incarnatum, F. fujikuroi, F. annulatum and F. thapsinum. Pathogenicity tests in a greenhouse revealed that F. oxysporum and F. equiseti were responsible for Fusarium wilt in all sampled regions, with F. oxysporum being more prevalent in wilted samples. This is the first report of F. equiseti on wilted potatoes in Pakistan. In vitro biocontrol tests using Trichoderma harzianum showed 89% inhibition against F. equiseti and 65% inhibition against F. oxysporum. These findings on F. equiseti will aid in developing future control strategies, including biocontrol measures for Fusarium wilt in potatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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13 pages, 3170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity, Prevalence and Virulence of Colletotrichum Species Causing Anthracnose on Cassava Leaves in the Northern Region of Brazil

by Stella de C. S. Machado, Josiene S. Veloso, Marcos P. S. Câmara, Willie A. S. Vieira, Luis O. Viteri Jumbo, Raimundo Wagner S. Aguiar, Alex Sander R. Cangussu, Marcos V. Giongo, Cristiano B. Moraes, Fabricio S. Campos, Sabrina H. C. Araújo, Eugênio E. Oliveira and Gil R. dos Santos

J. Fungi 2024, 10(6), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060367 - 21 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop widely cultivated by small farmers in tropical countries. However, despite the low level of technology required for its management, it can be affected by several diseases, with anthracnose as the main threat. There is [...] Read more.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop widely cultivated by small farmers in tropical countries. However, despite the low level of technology required for its management, it can be affected by several diseases, with anthracnose as the main threat. There is little information about the main species of Colletotrichum that infect cassava in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the diversity, prevalence and virulence of Colletotrichum species that cause anthracnose in cassava leaves in northern Brazil. Twenty municipalities of the Pará and Tocantins states were selected, and leaves with symptoms were collected in those locations. Pure cultures were isolated in the laboratory. Species were identified using phylogenetic analyses of multiple loci, and their pathogenicity, aggressivity and virulence levels were assessed. Our results showed the greatest diversity of Colletotrichum associated with anthracnose in cassava plants of the “Formosa” cultivar in the Tocantins and Pará states. We determined the presence of Colletotrichum chrysophilum, C. truncatum, C. siamense, C. fructicola, C. plurivorum, C. musicola and C. karsti, with C. chrysophilum as the most aggressive and virulent. Our findings provide accurate identifications of species of Colletotrichum causing anthracnose in cassava crops, which are of great relevance for cassava breeding programs (e.g., the search for genotypes with polygenic resistance since the pathogen is so diverse) and for developing anthracnose management strategies that can work efficiently against species complexes of Colletotrichum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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22 pages, 5051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chromosome-Level Assembly and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Suillus bovinus Provides Insights into the Mechanism of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis

by Jinhua Zhang, Mengya An, Yanliu Chen, Shengkun Wang and Junfeng Liang

J. Fungi 2024, 10(3), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10030211 - 13 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1620

Abstract

Suillus bovinus is a wild edible ectomycorrhizal fungus with important economic and ecological value, which often forms an ectomycorrhiza with pine trees. We know little about the mechanisms associated with the metabolism and symbiosis of S. bovinus and its effects on the nutritional [...] Read more.

Suillus bovinus is a wild edible ectomycorrhizal fungus with important economic and ecological value, which often forms an ectomycorrhiza with pine trees. We know little about the mechanisms associated with the metabolism and symbiosis of S. bovinus and its effects on the nutritional value. In this study, the whole-genome sequencing of S. bovinus was performed using Illumina, HiFi, and Hi-C technologies, and the sequencing data were subjected to genome assembly, gene prediction, and functional annotation to obtain a high-quality chromosome-level genome of S. bovinus. The final assembly of the S. bovinus genome includes 12 chromosomes, with a total length of 43.03 Mb, a GC content of 46.58%, and a contig N50 size of 3.78 Mb. A total of 11,199 coding protein sequences were predicted from genome annotation. The S. bovinus genome contains a large number of small secreted proteins (SSPs) and genes that encode enzymes related to carbohydrates, as well as genes related to terpenoids, auxin, and lipochitooligosaccharides. These genes may contribute to symbiotic processes. The whole-genome sequencing and genetic information provide a theoretical basis for a deeper understanding of the mechanism of the mycorrhizal symbiosis of S. bovinus and can serve as a reference for comparative genomics of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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17 pages, 3621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Revision of Discula theae-sinensis, the Causal Agents of Anthracnose on Camellia sinensis

by Meijun Guo, Shiyi Zhao, Yue Gao, Xiaoye Shen and Chenglin Hou

J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020141 - 9 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1491

Abstract

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is one of the most important economic plants in China, and has many benefits for human health. Anthracnose is one of the most serious diseases of tea in China, and control of the fungus is important since [...] Read more.

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is one of the most important economic plants in China, and has many benefits for human health. Anthracnose is one of the most serious diseases of tea in China, and control of the fungus is important since most Chinese cultivars are susceptible to it. The agent of tea anthracnose was initially described as Gloeosporium theae-sinensis I. Miyake in Japan, which was later transferred to Discula, but this taxonomic position remains problematic. To shed light on these taxonomic and phylogenetic issues, the tea anthracnose pathogens were re-studied. Combining the morphological characteristics and a multigene phylogenetic analysis of nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1 sequence data, a new genus Sinodiscula was proposed to accommodate the causal fungi of tea anthracnose, including a new species Sinodiscula camellicola and a new combination Sinodiscula theae-sinensis. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the pathogens was determined according to Koch’s postulates. This study thoroughly resolves the long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic problems of the tea anthracnose pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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12 pages, 3616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphology and Phylogeny Reveal Three New Species of Cytospora Associated with Tree Cankers in China

by Shuo Wang, Ning Jiang and Rong Ma

J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020139 - 9 Feb 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1722

Abstract

Cytospora (Cytosporaceae, Diaporthales) is a fungal genus that usually inhabits plants as endophytes, saprobes, as well as pathogens. Species of this genus are characterized by possessing allantoid hyaline conidia and ascospores. Samples with typical Cytospora canker symptoms on Prunus davidiana, P. padus and [...] Read more.

Cytospora (Cytosporaceae, Diaporthales) is a fungal genus that usually inhabits plants as endophytes, saprobes, as well as pathogens. Species of this genus are characterized by possessing allantoid hyaline conidia and ascospores. Samples with typical Cytospora canker symptoms on Prunus davidiana, P. padus and Salix sp. were collected in Tibet and Xinjiang, China. Species were identified using both morphological and molecular approaches of combined loci of internal transcribed spacer region rDNA (ITS), the partial actin (act) region, RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene and the partial be-ta-tubulin (tub2) gene. Six isolates in the present study formed three distinct clades from previously known species. Cytospora hejingensis sp. nov. from Salix sp., C. jilongensis sp. nov. from P. davidiana and C. kunsensis from P. padus were proposed herein. The current study improves the understanding of species concept in Cytospora. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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18 pages, 2340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Didymella (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales) from Jiangxi, China

by Xingxing Luo, Yafen Hu, Jiwen Xia, Kai Zhang, Liguo Ma, Zhaohuan Xu and Jian Ma

J. Fungi 2024, 10(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010075 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2211

Abstract

Didymella contains numerous plant pathogenic and saprobic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Over the course of our mycological surveys of plant pathogens from terrestrial plants in Jiangxi Province, China, eight strains isolated from diseased leaves of four host genera represented [...] Read more.

Didymella contains numerous plant pathogenic and saprobic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Over the course of our mycological surveys of plant pathogens from terrestrial plants in Jiangxi Province, China, eight strains isolated from diseased leaves of four host genera represented three new species of Didymella, D. bischofiae sp. nov., D. clerodendri sp. nov., and D. pittospori sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TUB2 sequence data, using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), revealed their taxonomic placement within Didymella. Both morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses supported D. bischofiae, D. clerodendri, and D. pittospori as three new taxa within Didymella. Illustrations and descriptions of these three taxa were provided, along with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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19 pages, 3005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Phyllosticta (Botryosphaeriales, Phyllostictaceae) in China

by Yang Jiang, Zhaoxue Zhang, Jie Zhang, Shi Wang and Xiuguo Zhang

J. Fungi 2024, 10(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010007 - 22 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1935

Abstract

The genus Phyllosticta has been reported worldwide and contains many pathogenic and endophytic species isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. A multipoint phylogeny based on gene coding combinatorial data sets for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit of ribosomal RNA [...] Read more.

The genus Phyllosticta has been reported worldwide and contains many pathogenic and endophytic species isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. A multipoint phylogeny based on gene coding combinatorial data sets for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit of ribosomal RNA (LSU rDNA), translation elongation factor 1α (TEF1α), actin (ACT), and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), combined with morphological characteristics, was performed. We describe three new species, P. fujianensis sp. nov., P. saprophytica sp. nov., and P. turpiniae sp. nov., and annotate and discusse their similarities and differences in morphological relationships and phylogenetic phases with closely related species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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13 pages, 5228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three New Species of Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) on Bambusaceae sp. and Saprophytic Leaves from Hainan and Yunnan, China

by Jie Zhang, Zhaoxue Zhang, Duhua Li, Jiwen Xia and Zhuang Li

J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121176 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1502

Abstract

Species of the genus Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) have been reported from the whole world and separated from multiple plant hosts. The primary aim of the present study is to describe and illustrate three new species isolated from the leaf spot [...] Read more.

Species of the genus Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) have been reported from the whole world and separated from multiple plant hosts. The primary aim of the present study is to describe and illustrate three new species isolated from the leaf spot of Bambusaceae sp. and saprophytic leaves in Hainan and Yunnan provinces, China. The proposed three species, viz., Microdochium bambusae, M. nannuoshanense and M. phyllosaprophyticum, are based on multi-locus phylogenies from a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2 in conjunction with morphological characteristics. Descriptions and illustrations of three new species in the genus are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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14 pages, 7241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aphanomyces macrosporus sp. nov. Causing Root Rot in Barley and Some Other Plants

by Mariann Wikström, Lars Persson and Jamshid Fatehi

J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121144 - 27 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1626

Abstract

In recent years, a new root rot disease in barley, which is caused by an Aphanomyces species, was found in field surveys in Southern Sweden and Denmark. Its symptoms occurred at the early tillering stage, around the BBCH 21 growth stage, and included [...] Read more.

In recent years, a new root rot disease in barley, which is caused by an Aphanomyces species, was found in field surveys in Southern Sweden and Denmark. Its symptoms occurred at the early tillering stage, around the BBCH 21 growth stage, and included the yellowing of leaves, brown coleoptiles, and the discolouration of roots. Prolonged soil wetness after rainfall favoured disease development, which sometimes advanced the yellowing patches to entire fields, resulting in lower yields. Oospores were found in the fine roots of diseased plants, and Aphanomyces isolates were obtained from these roots, as well as from the roots of barley plants grown in the greenhouse in soil samples from infected fields. Based on morphological analysis, we found that the new isolates were similar to those already obtained from barley and spinach roots in the 1990s in the same growing area. The morphological and molecular analyses performed in this study clearly separated and distinguished these barley isolates from other known Aphanomyces, and hereby Aphanomyces macrosporus sp. nov. is proposed as a new plant pathogenic species. It has larger oogonia and oospores than A. euteiches, A. cochlioides, and A. cladogamus, with one up to eight diclinous antheridia per oogonium. The phylogenetic analysis of the ITS rDNA region sequences grouped these new Aphanomyces isolates in a monophyletic clade, which was clearly distinguished from other plant pathogenic Aphanomyces species. The further pathogenicity of A. macrosporus on other plants is currently under investigation, but it is clear that it can at least infect barley, spinach, and sugar beet, indicating a wide host range for this species. The widespread presence and presumably broad host range of this new pathogenic Aphanomyces species must be considered in crop rotations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology)

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