Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.7
4.2
Journals
JoF
Special Issues
Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal...
share announcement

Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 7262

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xuehong Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: species identification of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium; molecular mechanism of resistance to fungicides; mycoviruses associated with fungi
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Lihua Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: Fusarium; Fusarium mycovirus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Shimin Zuo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
Interests: rice sheath blight; host disease resistance; host pathogen; breeding
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium are very important phytopathogens causing devastating diseases on many important crops all over the world. Accurate species identification of plant pathogens will provide the theoretical basis for controlling diseases effectively. To date, the management of crop diseases caused by these three genera has mainly relied on the timely application of fungicides. However, the resistance of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium to fungicides had been reported due to their long-term use. In addition, many biocontrol agents have been recorded for use to protect crops from infection by pathogens belonging to the three genera. Mycoviruses are viruses that replicate in fungi and are widespread in all major taxonomic groups of fungi, including Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. Some mycoviruses are reported to confer hypovirulence or hypervirulence to their host fungi, and mycoviruses that confer hypovirulence are considered potential biological agents for controlling fungal diseases. This Special Issue plans to give an overview of the most recent advances in the field of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. This Special Issue aims to provide contributions on advances in the species identification, molecular mechanism of resistance, pathogenic mechanism, resistant mechanism of plants, mycoviruses, and biocontrol agents used to control diseases with regard to Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium.

Potential topics include but are not limited to species identification of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium; molecular mechanism of resistance of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium to fungicides; pathogenic mechanism of Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium; resistant mechanism of plants to Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium; mycoviruses associated with Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium; and biocontrol agents used to control diseases caused by Alternaria, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium.

Prof. Dr. Xuehong Wu
Prof. Dr. Lihua Guo
Prof. Dr. Shimin Zuo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • species identification
  • molecular mechanism of resistance
  • pathogenic mechanism
  • resistant mechanism of plants
  • mycoviruses
  • biocontrol agents

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 11584 KiB  
Article
The Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Protein Complex Is Important for Deoxynivalenol Production and the Virulence of Fusarium graminearum
by Lei Chen, Yaxian Liu, Yu Wang, Yaxin Zhang, Saisai Wang, Liyuan Zhang, Kai Lu, Xiaochen Chen, Hansong Dong and Shenshen Zou
J. Fungi 2025, 11(2), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020108 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 286
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is recognized as the pathogen responsible for wheat head blight. It produces deoxynivalenol (DON) during infection, which endangers human health. DON biosynthesis occurs within toxisomes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In eukaryotes, the ER membrane protein complex (EMC) is critical for [...] Read more.
Fusarium graminearum is recognized as the pathogen responsible for wheat head blight. It produces deoxynivalenol (DON) during infection, which endangers human health. DON biosynthesis occurs within toxisomes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In eukaryotes, the ER membrane protein complex (EMC) is critical for the ER’s normal operation. However, the specific role of the EMC in F. graminearum remains poorly understood. In this study, six EMC subunits (FgEmc1-6) were identified in F. graminearum, and all of them were localized to the toxisomes. Our results demonstrate that the EMC is indispensable for vegetative growth and asexual and sexual reproduction, which are the fundamental life processes of F. graminearum. Importantly, EMC deletion led to reduced virulence in wheat spikes and petioles. Further investigation revealed that in ΔFgemc1-6, the expression of trichothecene (TRI) genes is decreased, the biosynthesis of lipid droplets (LDs) is diminished, toxisome formation is impaired, and DON production is reduced. Additionally, defects in the formation of the infection cushion were observed in ΔFgemc1-6. In conclusion, the EMC is involved in regulating growth and virulence in F. graminearum. This study enhances our understanding of the EMC functions in F. graminearum and offers valuable insights into potential targets for managing wheat head blight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1733 KiB  
Article
Identification and Confirmation of Virulence Factor Production from Fusarium avenaceum, a Causal Agent of Root Rot in Pulses
by Thomas E. Witte, Anne Hermans, Amanda Sproule, Carmen Hicks, Tala Talhouni, Danielle Schneiderman, Linda J. Harris, Anas Eranthodi, Nora A. Foroud, Syama Chatterton and David P. Overy
J. Fungi 2024, 10(12), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120821 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 806
Abstract
Fusarium avenaceum is an aggressive pathogen of pulse crops and a causal agent in root rot disease that negatively impacts Canadian agriculture. This study reports the results of a targeted metabolomics-based profiling of secondary metabolism in an 18-strain panel of Fusarium avenaceum cultured [...] Read more.
Fusarium avenaceum is an aggressive pathogen of pulse crops and a causal agent in root rot disease that negatively impacts Canadian agriculture. This study reports the results of a targeted metabolomics-based profiling of secondary metabolism in an 18-strain panel of Fusarium avenaceum cultured axenically in multiple media conditions, in addition to an in planta infection assay involving four strains inoculated on two pea cultivars. Multiple secondary metabolites with known roles as virulence factors were detected which have not been previously associated with F. avenaceum, including fungal decalin-containing diterpenoid pyrones (FDDPs), fusaoctaxins, sambutoxin and fusahexin, in addition to confirmation of previously reported secondary metabolites including enniatins, fusarins, chlamydosporols, JM-47 and others. Targeted genomic analysis of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters was used to confirm the presence/absence of the profiled secondary metabolites. The detection of secondary metabolites with diverse bioactivities is discussed in the context of virulence factor networks potentially coordinating the disruption of plant defenses during disease onset by this generalist plant pathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3900 KiB  
Article
An Antisense Long Non-Coding RNA, LncRsn, Is Involved in Sexual Reproduction and Full Virulence in Fusarium graminearum
by Zhizhen Fu, Yanjie Chen, Gaolei Cai, Huijuan Peng, Xiaoyu Wang, Ping Li, Aiguo Gu, Yanli Li and Dongfang Ma
J. Fungi 2024, 10(10), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100692 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB), primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating crop disease that leads to significant declines in wheat yield and quality worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are found to play significant functions in various biological processes, but their regulatory [...] Read more.
Fusarium head blight (FHB), primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating crop disease that leads to significant declines in wheat yield and quality worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are found to play significant functions in various biological processes, but their regulatory functions in the sexual reproduction and pathogenicity of F. graminearum have not been studied extensively. This study identified an antisense lncRNA, named lncRsn, located in the transcription initiation site region between the 5′-flanking gene FgSna and the 3′-flanking gene FgPta. A deletion mutant of lncRsn (ΔlncRsn) was constructed through homologous recombination. ΔlncRsn exhibited huge reductions in pathogen and sexual reproduction. Additionally, the deletion of lncRsn disrupted the biosynthesis of deoxynivalenol (DON) and impaired the formation of infection structures. RT-qPCR analysis reveals that lncRsn may negatively regulate the transcription of the target gene FgSna. This study found that lncRsn plays an important role in sexual and asexual reproduction, pathogenicity, virulence, osmotic stress, and cell wall integrity (CWI) in F. graminearum. Further characterization of pathogenesis-related genes and the reaction between lncRsn and protein-coding genes will aid in developing novel approaches for controlling F. graminearum diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2494 KiB  
Article
Profiling of the Citrus Leaf Endophytic Mycobiota Reveals Abundant Pathogen-Related Fungal Groups
by Feng Huang, Jinfeng Ling, Yiping Cui, Bin Guo and Xiaobing Song
J. Fungi 2024, 10(9), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10090596 - 23 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Plant endophytic microbial communities consist of many latent plant pathogens and, also, many pathogen-related species with reduced virulence. Though with a long history of co-evolution, the diversity and composition of the endophytic mycobiota, especially the pathogen-related fungal groups, has been under-investigated in Citrus [...] Read more.
Plant endophytic microbial communities consist of many latent plant pathogens and, also, many pathogen-related species with reduced virulence. Though with a long history of co-evolution, the diversity and composition of the endophytic mycobiota, especially the pathogen-related fungal groups, has been under-investigated in Citrus (C.). Based on the amplicon sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the leaf endophytic mycobiota were profiled on citrus varieties from different citrus-producing regions. The pomelo variety shared significantly distinctive leaf mycobiota when compared to the mandarin and sweet orange; these conform to their host genetic relationships. In addition, a data set of 241 citrus-related fungi, including 171 (71%) pathogens and potential pathogens, was summarized from previous studies. Under the criteria of local BLAST (covered ITS nucleotide ≥ 150 bp, sequence identity ≥ 99%), a total of 935 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were assigned to 62 pathogen-related fungal groups, representing 14.9% of the relative abundance in the whole community. Of which, the top groups consisted of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (mean relative abundance, 4.3%), Co. citricola and Co. karstii (2.7%), Zasmidium citri-griseum (2.4%), and Z. fructigenum (1.4%). At the genus level, the ratio of the pathogen-related fungal groups in 64% of fungal genera (16 out of 25) exceeded 50%, which are the solely or mainly occurring fungi of their genus in citrus. Our study suggests that the leaf endophytic compartment may be an important place for the growth of latent pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5309 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Genetic Diversity and the Population Structure of Species from the Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex Causing Fusarium Stalk Rot of Maize
by Prashant P. Jambhulkar, Ruchira Bajpai, Harish Jayarama Reddy, Partha Sarathi Tripathy, Priyanka Varun, Ajaya Kumar Rout, Bijay Kumar Behera, Dilip K. Lakshman and Mallikarjuna Nanjundappa
J. Fungi 2024, 10(8), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080574 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1313
Abstract
Fusarium stalk rot (FSR), caused by the Fusarium species complex, is an economic threat to maize cultivation all over the world. We investigated the population structure and genetic diversity of Fusarium species obtained from five major maize-growing regions in India. The Tef-1α locus [...] Read more.
Fusarium stalk rot (FSR), caused by the Fusarium species complex, is an economic threat to maize cultivation all over the world. We investigated the population structure and genetic diversity of Fusarium species obtained from five major maize-growing regions in India. The Tef-1α locus was used for phylogenetic analysis of geographically distinct isolates of Fusarium verticillioides, F. andiyazi, F. proliferatum, F. nygamai, and F. acutatum causing FSR. A phylogenetic tree showed monophyletic, polyphyletic, and paraphyletic groupings reflecting the complex evolutionary history and genetic diversity within the genus. Monophyletic groupings depicting strong bootstrap support were shown to have a single common ancestor and genetic coherence with limited genetic divergence among sequences. Polyphyletic groupings also presented significant genetic differentiation within the F. verticillioides sequences from diverse ecological niches. Nucleotide diversity of moderate level 0.02471 reflected genetic variations within populations that were attributed to factors such as mutation, genetic drift, or varying selection pressures. The Fst value of 0.98205 is particularly indicative of high genetic differentiation, implying that most of the genetic variance is due to differences between populations rather than within them. F. verticillioides, with 57 sequences, showed low genetic diversity with three segregating sites and a low haplotype diversity of 0.19486, suggesting the founder effect, where a reduced population expands from a limited genetic pool. The total data estimates across all populations for haplotype analysis showed 72 sequences, 44 segregating sites, and 9 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.48513. The evolutionary dynamics showed genetic differentiations among Fusarium species causing FSR. AMOVA indicated high within-population variations, depicting a substantial genetic diversity within individual populations. The results offer a comprehensive framework for discussing the implications of genetic diversity in pathogen management and the evolutionary dynamics of the Fusarium species causing FSR in maize in the Indian subcontinent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4051 KiB  
Article
A Novel Strain of Fusarium oxysporum Virus 1 Isolated from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum Strain X-GS16 Influences Phenotypes of F. oxysporum Strain HB-TS-YT-1hyg
by Huihui Hua, Xinyi Zhang, Jie Xia and Xuehong Wu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040252 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1640
Abstract
A novel strain of Fusarium oxysporum virus 1 (FoV1) was identified from the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum strain X-GS16 and designated as Fusarium oxysporum virus 1-FON (FoV1-FON). The full genome of FoV1-FON is 2902 bp in length and contains two non-overlapping open [...] Read more.
A novel strain of Fusarium oxysporum virus 1 (FoV1) was identified from the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum strain X-GS16 and designated as Fusarium oxysporum virus 1-FON (FoV1-FON). The full genome of FoV1-FON is 2902 bp in length and contains two non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1 and ORF2, encoding a protein with an unknown function (containing a typical −1 slippery motif G_GAU_UUU at the 3′-end) and a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), respectively. BLASTx search against the National Center for the Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant database showed that FoV1-FON had the highest identity (97.46%) with FoV1. Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that FoV1-FON clustered with FoV1 in the proposed genus Unirnavirus. FoV1-FON could vertically transmit via spores. Moreover, FoV1-FON was transmitted horizontally from the F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum strain X-GS16 to the F. oxysporum strain HB-TS-YT-1hyg. This resulted in the acquisition of the F. oxysporum strain HB-TS-YT-1hyg-V carrying FoV1-FON. No significant differences were observed in the sporulation and dry weight of mycelial biomass between HB-TS-YT-1hyg and HB-TS-YT-1hyg-V. FoV1-FON infection significantly increased the mycelial growth of HB-TS-YT-1hyg, but decreased its virulence to potato tubers and sensitivity to difenoconazole, prochloraz, and pydiflumetofen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hypovirulence and reduced sensitivity to difenoconazole, prochloraz, and pydiflumetofen in F. oxysporum due to FoV1-FON infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia: A Spotlight on Fungal Pathogens, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop