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20 pages, 3545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum falcatum Causing Red Rot on Sugarcane in Southern Florida

by Fernanda Rodrigues Silva, Mário Lúcio V. de Resende, Larissa Carvalho Ferreira, Olamide Adesina and Katia V. Xavier

J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110742 - 27 Oct 2024

Viewed by 735

Abstract

Red rot disease reduces sugarcane yield and impacts the sugar quality, posing an important threat to the sugarcane industry in Florida. Although Colletotrichum falcatum, the causal agent of red rot in Florida, was first reported in 1984 based on morphology, molecular and [...] Read more.

Red rot disease reduces sugarcane yield and impacts the sugar quality, posing an important threat to the sugarcane industry in Florida. Although Colletotrichum falcatum, the causal agent of red rot in Florida, was first reported in 1984 based on morphology, molecular and pathological data have remained limited, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive characterization. Thirteen isolates were obtained from three local sugarcane varieties in Belle Glade, Florida. Phylogenetic analyses of five genetic markers (ITS, ACT, TUB2, GAPDH, and CHS-1) confirmed all the strains as C. falcatum. In addition, the study documented the disease progression at the cellular level and assessed the pathogenicity of representative strains using the leaf sheath and whole-seedling inoculation methods. The varieties CP96-1252 and CP89-2143 showed greater host resistance. These findings represent the first report of C. falcatum causing red rot in southern Florida, offer valuable insights for/into red rot management, and provide a basis for future breeding programs to enhance sugarcane resistance to red rot disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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14 pages, 8601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mitochondrial Distribution and Morphology Family 33 Gene FgMDM33 Is Involved in Autophagy and Pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum

by Wuyun Lv, Yiyi Tu, Ting Xu, You Zhang, Junjie Chen, Nan Yang and Yuchun Wang

J. Fungi 2024, 10(8), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080579 - 16 Aug 2024

Viewed by 819

Abstract

The mitochondrial distribution and morphology family 33 gene (MDM33) regulates mitochondrial homeostasis by mediating the mitochondrial fission process in yeast. The wheat head blight Fusarium graminearum contains an FgMdm33 protein that is orthologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mdm33, albeit its function remains [...] Read more.

The mitochondrial distribution and morphology family 33 gene (MDM33) regulates mitochondrial homeostasis by mediating the mitochondrial fission process in yeast. The wheat head blight Fusarium graminearum contains an FgMdm33 protein that is orthologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mdm33, albeit its function remains unknown. We have reported here the roles of FgMdm33 in regulating fungal morphogenesis, mitochondrial morphology, autophagy, apoptosis, and fungal pathogenicity. The ΔFgmdm33 mutants generated through a homologous recombination strategy in this study exhibited defects in terms of mycelial growth, conidia production, and virulence. Hyphal cells lacking FgMDM33 displayed elongated mitochondria and a dispensable respiratory-deficient growth phenotype, indicating the possible involvement of FgMDM33 in mitochondrial fission. The ΔFgmdm33 mutants displayed a remarkable reduction in the proteolysis of GFP-FgAtg8, whereas the formation of autophagic bodies in the hyphal cells of mutants was recorded under the induction of mitophagy. In addition, the transcriptional expression of the apoptosis-inducing factor 1 gene (FgAIF1) was significantly upregulated in the ΔFgmdm33 mutants. Cumulatively, these results indicate that FgMDM33 is involved in mitochondrial fission, non-selective macroautophagy, and apoptosis and that it regulates fungal growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity of the head blight pathogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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13 pages, 10521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Fungal Species Isolated from Cankered Apple Barks Demonstrates the Alternaria alternata Causing Apple Canker Disease

by Zhiqiang Li, Hao Li, Jiating Zhang, Shikai Zhang, Qi Zhao, Chunzhen Cheng and Yongyan Zhang

J. Fungi 2024, 10(8), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080536 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1007

Abstract

Apple canker disease, also named as apple Valsa canker, is one of the most destructive diseases for apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Cytospora/Valsa spp. are the dominant causal agent of this disease, but many studies have revealed that fungi from some [...] Read more.

Apple canker disease, also named as apple Valsa canker, is one of the most destructive diseases for apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Cytospora/Valsa spp. are the dominant causal agent of this disease, but many studies have revealed that fungi from some other genus can also cause typical apple canker symptoms. In this study, we performed fungal pathogen isolation from cankered ‘Fuji’ apple barks. Six representative morphologically different fungi (Strain 1–6) were further subjected to ITS sequencing and evolutionary analysis. Molecular identification results revealed that Strains 1–6 are Cytospora mali, Fusarium cf. solani, Alternaria alternata, C. mali, Diplodia seriata and F. proliferatum, respectively. All these fungi have been reported to be causal agents of apple diseases. By inoculating fungal plugs onto trunks of ‘Fuji’ apple trees, the pathogenicity of the six fungi were accessed. Only the inoculations of the two C. mali strains (Strain 1 and Strain 4) and the A. alternata strain (Strain 3) resulted in typical apple canker symptoms in trunks. It is worth noting that Strain 1 caused much more severe canker symptoms and higher pathogenicity incidence than the other two fungi. A. alternata has been identified as a pathogen causing diseases on apple fruits and leaves. By further assessing its pathogenicity on apple fruits and leaves, we verified that it can also cause typical fruit rot and leaf spot symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on apple canker disease caused by A. alternata in China. Our present study can provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of apple canker disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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19 pages, 2811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Carbon Catabolite Repression and Hemicellulolytic Ability among Pathotypes of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum against Natural Plant Substrates

by Karla Morelia Díaz-Tapia, María Guadalupe Zavala-Páramo, Maria Guadalupe Villa-Rivera, Ma. Irene Morelos-Martínez, Everardo López-Romero, June Simpson, Jeni Bolaños-Rebolledo and Horacio Cano-Camacho

J. Fungi 2024, 10(6), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060406 - 5 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 903

Abstract

Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes anthracnose in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and presents a great diversity of pathotypes with different levels of virulence against bean varieties worldwide. The purpose of this study was to establish whether pathotypic diversity [...] Read more.

Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a phytopathogenic fungus that causes anthracnose in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and presents a great diversity of pathotypes with different levels of virulence against bean varieties worldwide. The purpose of this study was to establish whether pathotypic diversity is associated with differences in the mycelial growth and secretion of plant-cell-wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). We evaluated growth, hemicellulase and cellulase activity, and PCWDE secretion in four pathotypes of C. lindemuthianum in cultures with glucose, bean hypocotyls and green beans of P. vulgaris, and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). The results showed differences in the mycelial growth, hemicellulolytic activity, and PCWDE secretion among the pathotypes. Glucose was not the preferred carbon source for the best mycelial growth in all pathotypes, each of which showed a unique PCWDE secretion profile, indicating different levels of carbon catabolite regulation (CCR). The pathotypes showed a high differential hemicellulolytic capacity to degrade host and water hyacinth tissues, suggesting CCR by pentoses and that there are differences in the absorption and metabolism of different monosaccharides and/or disaccharides. We propose that different levels of CCR could optimize growth in different host tissues and could allow for consortium behavior in interactions with bean crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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14 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Genetic Analyses and Trichothecene Genotype Profiling of Fusarium pseudograminearum Causing Wheat Crown Rot in Henan, China

by Jianzhou Zhang, Jiahui Zhang, Jianhua Wang, Mengyuan Zhang, Chunying Li, Wenyu Wang, Yujuan Suo and Fengping Song

J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040240 - 22 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1408

Abstract

In China, Fusarium pseudograminearum has emerged as a major pathogen causing Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and caused significant losses. Studies on the pathogen’s properties, especially its mating type and trichothecene chemotypes, are critical with respect to disease epidemiology and food/feed safety. There are [...] Read more.

In China, Fusarium pseudograminearum has emerged as a major pathogen causing Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and caused significant losses. Studies on the pathogen’s properties, especially its mating type and trichothecene chemotypes, are critical with respect to disease epidemiology and food/feed safety. There are currently few available reports on these issues. This study investigated the species composition, mating type idiomorphs, and trichothecene genotypes of Fusarium spp. causing FCR in Henan, China. A significant shift in F. pseudograminearum-induced FCR was found in the present study. Of the 144 purified strains, 143 were F. pseudograminearum, whereas only 1 Fusarium graminearum was identified. Moreover, a significant trichothecene-producing capability of F. pseudograminearum strains from Henan was observed in this work. Among the 143 F. pseudograminearum strains identified, F. pseudograminearum with a 15ADON genotype was found to be predominant (133 isolates), accounting for 92.36% of all strains, followed by F. pseudograminearum with a 3ADON genotype, whereas only one NIV genotype strain was detected. Overall, a relatively well-balanced 1:1 ratio of the F. pseudograminearum population was found in Henan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has examined the Fusarium populations responsible for FCR across the Henan wheat-growing region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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13 pages, 9156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling the Life Cycle of Nyssopsora cedrelae: A Study of Rust Diseases on Aralia elata and Toona sinensis

by Jae Sung Lee, Makoto Kakishima, Ji-Hyun Park, Hyeon-Dong Shin and Young-Joon Choi

J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040239 - 22 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1320

Abstract

Rust disease poses a major threat to global agriculture and forestry. It is caused by types of Pucciniales, which often require alternate hosts for their life cycles. Nyssopsora cedrelae was previously identified as a rust pathogen on Toona sinensis in East and Southeast [...] Read more.

Rust disease poses a major threat to global agriculture and forestry. It is caused by types of Pucciniales, which often require alternate hosts for their life cycles. Nyssopsora cedrelae was previously identified as a rust pathogen on Toona sinensis in East and Southeast Asia. Although this species had been reported to be autoecious, completing its life cycle solely on T. sinensis, we hypothesized that it has a heteroecious life cycle, requiring an alternate host, since the spermogonial and aecial stages on Aralia elata, a plant native to East Asia, are frequently observed around the same area where N. cedrelae causes rust disease on T. sinensis. Upon collecting rust samples from both A. elata and T. sinensis, we confirmed that the rust species from both tree species exhibited matching internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (LSU) rDNA, and cytochrome oxidase subunit III (CO3) mtDNA sequences. Through cross-inoculations, we verified that aeciospores from A. elata produced a uredinial stage on T. sinensis. This study is the first report to clarify A. elata as an alternate host for N. cedrelae, thus providing initial evidence that the Nyssopsora species exhibits a heteroecious life cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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11 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Genetic and Vegetative Compatibility Group of Colletotrichum coccodes Isolates from Chile Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers

by Kholoud M. Alananbeh, Viviana Rivera, Ivette Acuña Bravo, Gary Secor and Neil C. Gudmestad

J. Fungi 2024, 10(3), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10030200 - 6 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1834

Abstract

Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes is an asexual fungus with five vegetative compatibility groups. It was postulated that C. coccodes was isolated at the center of origin of potato at one time, and due to the movement of potato around the globe, the fungus was [...] Read more.

Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes is an asexual fungus with five vegetative compatibility groups. It was postulated that C. coccodes was isolated at the center of origin of potato at one time, and due to the movement of potato around the globe, the fungus was established on each continent but became bottlenecked and genetically unable to form stable heterokaryons via vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) studies. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine if the VCGs around the world are related to the VCGs in Chile, (ii) to determine the diversity of C. coccodes populations in Chile, and (iii) to find any evidence for a cryptic sexual life cycle for this fungus. Worldwide C. coccodes populations have been found to be genetically correlated and belong to one or more C. coccodes-identified VCGs. The most distributed VCG in Chile was VCG2, which is the most common VCG in North America. We hypothesize that one or more VCGs had spread from Chile to the rest of the world. Precautions and further studies should be investigated by using other molecular markers and gene sequencing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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17 pages, 11914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Transcription Factor SsZNC1 Mediates Virulence, Sclerotial Development, and Osmotic Stress Response in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

by Yongkun Huang, Zhima Zhaxi, Yanping Fu, Jiatao Xie, Tao Chen, Bo Li, Xiao Yu, Yang Lin, Daohong Jiang and Jiasen Cheng

J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020135 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1658

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen with a broad range of hosts, which can cause diseases and pose a great threat to many crops. Fungal-specific Zn₂Cys₆ transcription factors (TFs) constitute a large family prevalent among plant pathogens. However, the function [...] Read more.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen with a broad range of hosts, which can cause diseases and pose a great threat to many crops. Fungal-specific Zn₂Cys₆ transcription factors (TFs) constitute a large family prevalent among plant pathogens. However, the function of Zn₂Cys₆ TFs remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized SsZNC1, a Zn₂Cys₆ TF in S. sclerotiorum, which is involved in virulence, sclerotial development, and osmotic stress response. The expression of SsZNC1 was significantly up-regulated in the early stages of S. sclerotiorum infection on Arabidopsis leaves. The target deletion of SsZNC1 resulted in reduced virulence on Arabidopsis and oilseed rape. In addition, sclerotial development ability and growth ability under hyperosmotic conditions of SsZNC1 knockout transformants were reduced. A transcriptomic analysis unveiled its regulatory role in key cellular functions, including cellulose catabolic process, methyltransferase activity, and virulence, etc. Together, our results indicated that SsZNC1, a core regulatory gene involved in virulence, sclerotial development and stress response, provides new insight into the transcription regulation and pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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13 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Classification of Colletotrichum sublineola Pathotypes Using a Standard Set of Sorghum Differentials

by Louis K. Prom, Ezekiel Jin Sung Ahn, Ramasamy Perumal, Hugo E. Cuevas, William L. Rooney, Thomas S. Isakeit and Clint W. Magill

J. Fungi 2024, 10(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010003 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

Anthracnose, incited by Colletotrichum sublineola, is the most destructive foliar disease of sorghum and, under severe conditions, yield losses can exceed 80% on susceptible cultivars. The hyper-variable nature of the pathogen makes its management challenging despite the occurrence of several resistant sources. In [...] Read more.

Anthracnose, incited by Colletotrichum sublineola, is the most destructive foliar disease of sorghum and, under severe conditions, yield losses can exceed 80% on susceptible cultivars. The hyper-variable nature of the pathogen makes its management challenging despite the occurrence of several resistant sources. In this study, the genetic variability and pathogenicity of 140 isolates of C. sublineola, which were sequenced using restriction site-associated sequencing (RAD-Seq), resulted in 1244 quality SNPs. The genetic relationship based on the SNP data showed low to high genetic diversity based on isolates’ origin. Isolates from Georgia and North Carolina were grouped into multiple clusters with some level of genetic relationships to each other. Even though some isolates from Texas formed a cluster, others clustered with isolates from Puerto Rico. The isolates from Puerto Rico showed scattered distribution, indicating the diverse nature of these isolates. A population structure and cluster analysis revealed that the genetic variation was stratified into eight populations and one admixture group. The virulence pattern of 30 sequenced isolates on 18 sorghum differential lines revealed 27 new pathotypes. SC748-5, SC112-14, and Brandes were resistant to all the tested isolates, while BTx623 was susceptible to all. Line TAM428 was susceptible to all the pathotypes, except for pathotype 26. Future use of the 18 differentials employed in this study, which contains cultivars/lines which have been used in the Americas, Asia, and Africa, could allow for better characterization of C. sublineola pathotypes at a global level, thus accelerating the development of sorghum lines with stable resistance to the anthracnose pathogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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16 pages, 3793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Advantages of Culturable Endophytic Fungi from Tea (Camellia sinensis)

by Thanyarat Onlamun, Autchima Boonthavee and Siraprapa Brooks

J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121191 - 13 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1896

Abstract

Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Eurotioycetes are three classes of endophytes that colocalize with tea (Camellia sinensis). Overall, the diversity indexes in this study indicated a greater abundance of fungal endophytes in roots and stems. Taking the production system into account, [...] Read more.

Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Eurotioycetes are three classes of endophytes that colocalize with tea (Camellia sinensis). Overall, the diversity indexes in this study indicated a greater abundance of fungal endophytes in roots and stems. Taking the production system into account, conventional tea plantations exhibit lower diversity compared to organic tea plantations. Notably, the influence of agrochemicals had the largest impact on the fungal endophyte communities within roots and young leaves. Despite the limited fungal diversity in conventional plantations, three fungal endophytes were isolated from tea in this culture system: Diaporthe sp., YI-005; Diaporthe sp., SI-007; and Eurotium sp., RI-008. These isolated endophytes exhibited high antagonistic activity (93.00–97.00% inhibition of hypha growth) against Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum, the causal agent of gummy stem blight disease. On the other hand, endophytic fungi isolated from tea in an organic system—Pleosporales sp., SO-006 and Pleosporales sp., RO-013—established the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 0.65 ± 0.06 µg/mL) and assist the solubilizing phosphorus (5.17 ± 1.03 µg/mL) from the soil, respectively. This suggested that the level of diversity, whether at the tissue level or within the farming system, did not directly correlate with the discovery of beneficial fungi. More importantly, these beneficial fungi showed the potential to develop into biological agents to control the devastating diseases in the cucurbit family and the potential for use as biofertilizers with a wide range of applications in plants. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are no restrictions limiting the use of fungal endophytes solely to the plant host from which they were originally isolated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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15 pages, 2458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of the Cassava Mycobiome in Symptomatic Leaf Tissues Displaying Cassava Superelongation Disease

by Angela Alleyne, Shanice Mason and Yvonne Vallès

J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121130 - 23 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4344

Abstract

Superelongation disease (SED) is a fungal disease that affects cassava in the Caribbean. The symptoms include the appearance of dry necrotic spots and lesions on the leaves, which may severely affect the plant yield. However, the primary causal pathogen is difficult to culture [...] Read more.

Superelongation disease (SED) is a fungal disease that affects cassava in the Caribbean. The symptoms include the appearance of dry necrotic spots and lesions on the leaves, which may severely affect the plant yield. However, the primary causal pathogen is difficult to culture and isolate in the lab because of its slow growth and potential contamination from faster-growing organisms. In addition, the leaf symptoms can be confused with those caused by other pathogens that produce similar necrotic spots and scab-like lesions. There is also little or no information on the contribution of endophytes, if any, to disease symptoms in cassava, a plant where the disease is prevalent. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the fungal communities in cassava associated with SED symptoms by analyzing gross fungal morphology and performing metagenomics profiling. First, several individual pathogenic fungi were isolated and cultured from diseased cassava leaf tissues from seven locations in Barbados (BB). Both culture isolation and molecular community analyses showed the presence of several other fungi in the disease microenvironment of symptomatic cassava leaves. These included Fusarium, Colletotrichum, and Alternaria species and the suspected species Elsinoë brasiliensis synonym Sphaceloma manihoticola. Additionally, a community analysis using ITS2 amplicon sequencing of 21 symptomatic leaf tissues from BB, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Trinidad and Tobago (TT), and Jamaica (JA) revealed that the disease symptoms of superelongation may also result from the interactions of fungal communities in the mycobiome, including Elsinoë species and other fungi such as Colletotrichum, Cercospora, Alternaria, and Fusarium. Therefore, we suggest that examining the pathobiome concept in SED in the future is necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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14 pages, 1737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Informative Microsatellite Markers and Population Structure of Fusarium virguliforme from Argentina and the USA

by Leandro Lopes da Silva, Huan Tian, Brandi Schemerhorn, Jin-Rong Xu and Guohong Cai

J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111109 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1251

Abstract

Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a destructive disease that causes substantial yield losses in South and North America. Whereas four Fusarium species were identified as the causal agents, F. virguliforme is the primary SDS-causing pathogen in North America and it also contributes [...] Read more.

Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a destructive disease that causes substantial yield losses in South and North America. Whereas four Fusarium species were identified as the causal agents, F. virguliforme is the primary SDS-causing pathogen in North America and it also contributes substantially to SDS in Argentina. In this study, we comparatively analyzed genome assemblies of four F. virguliforme strains and identified 29 informative microsatellite markers. Sixteen of the 29 markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of this pathogen in a collection of 90 strains from Argentina and the USA. A total of 37 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified, including 10 MLGs in Argentina and 26 in the USA. Only MLG2, the most dominant MLG, was found in both countries. Analyses with three different approaches showed that these MLGs could be grouped into three clusters. Cluster IA consisting of four MLGs exclusively from the USA has much higher genetic diversity than the other two clusters, suggesting that it may be the ancestral cluster although additional data are necessary to support this hypothesis. Clusters IB and II consisted of 13 and 21 MLGs, respectively. MLGs belonging to these two clusters were present in all four sampled states in Argentina and all five sampled states in the USA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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11 pages, 4057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Leptosphaeria biglobosa from the Winter Oilseed Rape Region in China

by Kang Zhou, Jing Zhang, Long Yang, Guoqing Li and Mingde Wu

J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111092 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

Phoma stem canker (blackleg), caused by the fungi Leptosphaeria maculans (anamorph Phoma lingam) and L. biglobosa, is one of the most devastating diseases in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production worldwide. However, the population structure and genetic variation of L. [...] Read more.

Phoma stem canker (blackleg), caused by the fungi Leptosphaeria maculans (anamorph Phoma lingam) and L. biglobosa, is one of the most devastating diseases in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production worldwide. However, the population structure and genetic variation of L. biglobosa populations in China have rarely been investigated. Here, a collection of 214 fungal strains of blackleg from China (including Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Hubei, Jiangsu, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, and Henan) and Europe (France and Ukraine) was identified as L. biglobosa. Three simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed to characterize their population structure. The results showed that the Nei’s average gene diversity ranged from 0.6771 for the population from Jiangsu to 0.3009 for the population from Hunan. In addition, most of the genetic variability (96%) occurred within groups and there were only relatively small amounts among groups (4.0%) (F_ST = 0.043, p = 0.042 < 0.05). Pairwise population differentiation (F_ST) suggested that significant genetic differentiation was observed between different L. biglobosa populations. Bayesian and unweighted average method analysis revealed that these L. biglobosa strains were clustered into three branches, and three European strains were similar to those from eastern China. The pathogenicity assay showed that those in Group III were significantly more virulent than those in Group I (t = 2.69, p = 0.016). The study also showed that Group III was dominant in Chinese L. biglobosa populations, which provides new insights for the further study of population evolution and the management of this pathogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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18 pages, 3525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Infecting Litchi in Hainan, China

by Xueren Cao, Fang Li, Huan Xu, Huanling Li, Shujun Wang, Guo Wang, Jonathan S. West and Jiabao Wang

J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111042 - 24 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1740

Abstract

Litchi (Litchi chinensis) is an evergreen fruit tree grown in subtropical and tropical countries. China accounts for 71.5% of the total litchi cultivated area in the world. Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most important diseases of [...] Read more.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis) is an evergreen fruit tree grown in subtropical and tropical countries. China accounts for 71.5% of the total litchi cultivated area in the world. Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most important diseases of litchi in China. In this study, the causal pathogens of litchi anthracnose in Hainan, China, were determined using phylogenetic and morphological analyses. The results identified eight Colletotrichum species from four species complexes, including a proposed new species. These were C. karsti from the C. boninense species complex; C. gigasporum and the proposed new species C. danzhouense from the C. gigasporum species complex; C. arecicola, C. fructicola species complex; C. arecicola, C. fructicola and C. siamense from the C. gloeosporioides species complex; and C. musicola and C. plurivorum from the C. orchidearum species complex. Pathogenicity tests showed that all eight species could infect litchi leaves using a wound inoculation method, although the pathogenicity was different in different species. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report that identifies C. arecicola, C. danzhouense, C. gigasporum and C. musicola as etiological agents of litchi anthracnose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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13 pages, 2011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cryphonectria parasitica Detections in England, Jersey, and Guernsey during 2020–2023 Reveal Newly Affected Areas and Infections by the CHV1 Mycovirus

by Pedro Romon-Ochoa, Pankajini Samal, Caroline Gorton, Alex Lewis, Ruth Chitty, Amy Eacock, Elzbieta Krzywinska, Michael Crampton, Ana Pérez-Sierra, Mick Biddle, Ben Jones and Lisa Ward

J. Fungi 2023, 9(10), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9101036 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

In England, Cryphonectria parasitica was detected for the first time in 2011 in a nursery and in 2016 in the wider environment. Surveys between 2017 and 2020 identified the disease at different sites in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, London, West Sussex, [...] Read more.

In England, Cryphonectria parasitica was detected for the first time in 2011 in a nursery and in 2016 in the wider environment. Surveys between 2017 and 2020 identified the disease at different sites in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, London, West Sussex, and the island of Jersey, while the present study comprises the results of the 2020–2023 survey with findings in Derbyshire, Devon, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, London, West Sussex, and the islands of Jersey and Guernsey. A total of 226 suspected samples were collected from 72 surveyed sites, as far north as Edinburgh and as far west as Plymouth (both of which were negative), and 112 samples tested positive by real-time PCR and isolation from 35 sites. The 112 isolates were tested for the vegetative compatibility group (VCG), mating type, and Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1). Twelve VCGs were identified, with two of them (EU-5 and EU-22) being the first records in the UK. Both mating types were present (37% MAT-1 and 63% MAT-2), but only one mating type was present per site and VCG, and perithecia were never observed. Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1), consistently subtype-I haplotype E-5, was detected in three isolates at a low concentration (5.9, 21.1, and 33.0 ng/µL) from locations in London, Nottinghamshire, and Devon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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14 pages, 1814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity of Lecanosticta acicola in Pinus Ecosystems in Northern Spain

by Nebai Mesanza, Irene Barnes, Ariska van der Nest, Rosa Raposo, Mónica Berbegal and Eugenia Iturritxa

J. Fungi 2023, 9(6), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060651 - 9 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1685

Abstract

Lecanosticta acicola is one of the most damaging species affecting Pinus radiata plantations in Spain. Favourable climatic conditions and unknown endogenous factors of the pathogen and host led to a situation of high incidence and severity of the disease in these ecosystems. With [...] Read more.

Lecanosticta acicola is one of the most damaging species affecting Pinus radiata plantations in Spain. Favourable climatic conditions and unknown endogenous factors of the pathogen and host led to a situation of high incidence and severity of the disease in these ecosystems. With the main aim of understanding the factors intrinsic to this pathogenic species, a study of the population structure in new established plantations with respect to older plantations was implemented. The genetic diversity, population structure and the ability of the pathogen to spread was determined in Northern Spain (Basque Country), where two thirds of the total Pinus radiata plantations of Spain are located. From a total of 153 Lecanosticta acicola isolates analysed, two lineages were present; the southern lineage, which was prevalent, and the northern lineage, which was scarce. A total of 22 multilocus genotypes were detected with a balanced composition of both mating types and evidence for sexual reproduction. In addition to the changing environmental conditions enhancing disease expression, the complexity and diversity of the pathogen will make it difficult to control and to maintain the wood productive system fundamentally based on this forest species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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15 pages, 3381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fusarium mindanaoense sp. nov., a New Fusarium Wilt Pathogen of Cavendish Banana from the Philippines Belonging to the F. fujikuroi Species Complex

by Shunsuke Nozawa, Yosuke Seto, Yoshiki Takata, Lalaine Albano Narreto, Reynaldo R. Valle, Keiju Okui, Shigeya Taida, Dionisio G. Alvindia, Renato G. Reyes and Kyoko Watanabe

J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040443 - 5 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4945

Abstract

The pathogen causing Fusarium wilt in banana is reported to be Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). In 2019, wilt symptoms in banana plants (cultivar: Cavendish) in the Philippines were detected, i.e., the yellowing of the leaves and discoloration of the pseudostem and [...] Read more.

The pathogen causing Fusarium wilt in banana is reported to be Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). In 2019, wilt symptoms in banana plants (cultivar: Cavendish) in the Philippines were detected, i.e., the yellowing of the leaves and discoloration of the pseudostem and vascular tissue. The fungus isolated from the vascular tissue was found to be pathogenic to Cavendish bananas and was identified as a new species, F. mindanaoense, belonging to the F. fujikuroi species complex (FFSC); species classification was assessed using molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the tef1, tub2, cmdA, rpb1, and rpb2 genes and morphological analyses. A reciprocal blast search using genomic data revealed that this fungus exclusively included the Secreted in Xylem 6 (SIX6) gene among the SIX homologs related to pathogenicity; it exhibited a highly conserved amino acid sequence compared with that of species in the FFSC, but not with that of FOC. This was the first report of Fusarium wilt in Cavendish bananas caused by a species of the genus Fusarium other than those in the F. oxysporum species complex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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11 pages, 887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Races CYR34 and Suwon11-1 of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Played an Important Role in Causing the Stripe Rust Epidemic in Winter Wheat in Yili, Xinjiang, China

by Li Chen, Muhammad Awais, Hong Yang, Yuyang Shen, Guangkuo Li, Haifeng Gao and Jinbiao Ma

J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040436 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2504

Abstract

Wheat stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is a destructive disease. Its pathogen frequently adapts to newly invaded regions and overcomes resistance in wheat cultivars. This disease is especially important in China due to its favorable conditions for the stripe [...] Read more.

Wheat stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is a destructive disease. Its pathogen frequently adapts to newly invaded regions and overcomes resistance in wheat cultivars. This disease is especially important in China due to its favorable conditions for the stripe rust epidemic and the recombination population structure of pathogens. Xinjiang is a vast epidemic region in China, but very limited research on this disease has been performed in this region. In this study, we identified 25 races from 129 isolates collected from winter wheat fields from five different regions (Nileke, Xinyuan, Gongliu, Huocheng, and Qapqal) of Yili, Xinjiang, using the Chinese set of 19 differential wheat lines. All isolates were virulent on the differentials Fulhad and Early Premium, but no isolates were virulent on Yr5. Among the 25 races, Suwon11-1 was the most prevalent, followed by CYR34. Both races were found in four out of the five locations. It is important to continue monitoring stripe rust and its pathogen races in this region, as it forms a pathway between China and Central Asia. Collaborative research is essential for controlling stripe rust in this region, other regions in China, and neighboring countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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11 pages, 1891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Report on Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Anthracnose in Chinese Sorghum and Its Management Using Phytochemicals

by Wei Zhao, Anlong Hu, Mingjian Ren, Guoyu Wei and Huayang Xu

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020279 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

Sorghum bicolor is cultivated worldwide. Leaf spots on sorghum, which lead to leaf lesions and impaired growth, are prevalent and severe in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. In August 2021, new leaf spot symptoms were observed on sorghum plants growing in agricultural fields. We [...] Read more.

Sorghum bicolor is cultivated worldwide. Leaf spots on sorghum, which lead to leaf lesions and impaired growth, are prevalent and severe in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. In August 2021, new leaf spot symptoms were observed on sorghum plants growing in agricultural fields. We used conventional tissue isolation methods and pathogenicity determination tests. Inoculations of sorghum with isolate 022ZW resulted in brown lesions similar to those observed under field conditions. The original inoculated isolates were reisolated and fulfilled Koch’s postulates. Based on the morphological character and phylogenetic analyses of the combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the β-tubulin (TUB2) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes, we identified the isolated fungus as C. fructicola. This paper is the first to report this fungus-causing disease in sorghum leaves. We studied the sensitivity of the pathogen to various phytochemicals. The sensitivity of C. fructicola to seven phytochemicals was measured using the mycelial growth rate method. Honokiol, magnolol, thymol, and carvacrol displayed good antifungal effects, with EC₅₀ (concentration for 50% of the maximal effect) values of 21.70 ± 0.81, 24.19 ± 0.49, 31.97 ± 0.51, and 31.04 ± 0.891 µg/mL, respectively. We tested the control effect of the seven phytochemicals on the anthracnose caused by C. fructicola: honokiol and magnolol displayed good field efficacy. In this study, we expand the host range of C. fructicola, providing a basis for controlling sorghum leaf diseases caused by C. fructicola. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Plant Pathogens)

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