Plant Pathology Journal最新文献

In plant-pathogen interactions, Magnaporthe oryzae causes blast disease on more than 50 species of 14 monocot plants, including important crops such as rice, millet, and most 15 recently wheat. M. oryzae is a model fungus for studying plant-microbe interaction, and the main source for fungal pathogenesis in the field. Here we report that MoJMJD6 is required for conidium germination and appressorium formation in M. oryzae. We obtained MoJMJD6 mutants (ΔMojmjd6) using a target gene replacement strategy. The MoJMD6 deletion mutants were delayed for conidium germination, glycogen, and lipid droplets utilization and consequently had decreased virulence. In the ΔMojmjd6 null mutants, global histone methyltransferase modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27me3, and H3K36me2/3) of the genome were unaffected. Taken together, our results indicated that MoJMJD6 function as a nuclear protein which plays an important role in conidium germination and appressorium formation in the M. oryzae. Our work provides insights into MoJMJD6-mediated regulation in the early stage of pathogenesis in plant fungi.

Colletotrichum acutatum species complex is one of the most important groups in the genus Colletotrichum with a high species diversity and a wide range of host plants. C. acutatum and related species have been collected from different plants and locations in Korea and deposited into the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC), National Institute of Agricultural Sciences since the 1990s. These fungal isolates were previously identified based mainly on morphological characteristics, and a limitation of molecular data was provided. To confirm the identification of species, 64 C. acutatum species complex isolates in KACC were used in this study for DNA sequence analyses of six loci: nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS), betatubulin 2 (TUB2), histone-3 (HIS3), glyceraldehyde3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), and actin (ACT). The molecular analysis revealed that they were identified in six different species of C. fioriniae (24 isolates), C. nymphaeae (21 isolates), C. scovillei (12 isolates), C. chrysanthemi (three isolates), C. lupini (two isolates), and C. godetiae (one isolate), and a novel species candidate. We compared the hosts of KACC isolates with "The List of Plant Diseases in Korea", previous reports in Korea and global reports and found that 23 combinations between hosts and pathogens could be newly reported in Korea after pathogenicity tests, and 12 of these have not been recorded in the world.

Physoderma fungal species cause faba bean gall (FBG) which devastates faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in the Ethiopian highlands. In three regions (Amahara, Oromia, and Tigray), the relative importance, distribution, intensity, and association with factors affecting FBG damage were assessed for the 2019 (283 fields) and 2020 (716 fields) main cropping seasons. A logistic regression model was used to associate biophysical factors with FBG incidence and severity. Amhara region has the highest prevalence of FBG (95.7%), followed by Tigray (83.3%), and the Oromia region (54%). Maximum FBG incidence (78.1%) and severity (32.8%) were recorded from Amhara and Tigray areas, respectively. The chocolate spot was most prevalent in West Shewa, Finfinne Special Zone, and North Shewa of the Oromia region. Ascochyta blight was found prevalent in North Shewa, West Shewa, Southwest Shewa of Oromia, and the South Gondar of Amhara. Faba bean rust was detected in all zones except for the South Gonder and North Shewa, and root rot disease was detected in all zones except South Gonder, South Wollo, and North Shewa of Amahara. Crop growth stage, cropping system, altitude, weed density, and fungicide, were all found to affect the incidence and severity of the FBG. Podding and maturity stage, mono-cropping, altitude (>2,400), high weed density, and non-fungicide were found associated with increased disease intensities. However, crop rotation, low weed infestation, and fungicide usage were identified as potential management options to reduce FBG disease.

The plant microbiota plays a crucial role in promoting plant health by facilitating the nutrient acquisition, abiotic stress tolerance, biotic stress resilience, and host immune regulation. Despite decades of research efforts, the precise relationship and function between plants and microorganisms remain unclear. Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a widely cultivated horticultural crop known for its high vitamin C, potassium, and phytochemical content. In this study, we investigated the microbial communities of kiwifruit across different cultivars (cvs. Deliwoong and Sweetgold) and tissues at various developmental stages. Our results showed that the microbiota community similarity was confirmed between the cultivars using principal coordinates analysis. Network analysis using both degree and eigenvector centrality indicated similar network forms between the cultivars. Furthermore, Streptomycetaceae was identified in the endosphere of cv. Deliwoong by analyzing amplicon sequence variants corresponding to tissues with an eigenvector centrality value of 0.6 or higher. Our findings provide a foundation for maintaining kiwifruit health through the analysis of its microbial community.

Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is a phytopathogenic bacterium that causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) in cucurbit crops, including watermelon. However, there are no effective methods to control this disease. YggS family pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme acts as a coenzyme in all transamination reactions, but its function in Ac is poorly understood. Therefore, this study uses proteomic and phenotypic analyses to characterize the functions. The Ac strain lacking the YggS family pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme, AcΔyppAc(EV), virulence was wholly eradicated in geminated seed inoculation and leaf infiltration. AcΔyppAc(EV) propagation was inhibited when exposed to L-homoserine but not pyridoxine. Wild-type and mutant growth were comparable in the liquid media but not in the solid media in the minimal condition. The comparative proteomic analysis revealed that YppAc is primarily involved in cell motility and wall/membrane/envelop biogenesis. In addition, AcΔyppAc(EV) reduced biofilm formation and twitching halo production, indicating that YppAc is involved in various cellular mechanisms and possesses pleiotropic effects. Therefore, this identified protein is a potential target for developing an efficient anti-virulence reagent to control BFB.

Citrus black rot is a serious disease of citrus plants caused by Alternaria citri. The current study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by chemically or green method and investigate their antifungal activity against A. citri. The sizes of synthesized as measured by transmission electron microscope of ZnO-NPs were 88 and 65 nm for chemical and green methods, respectively. The studied prepared ZnO-NPs were applied, in vitro and in situ, at different concentrations (500, 1,000, and 2,000 µg/ml) in post-harvest treatment on navel orange fruits to verify the possible control effect against A. citri. Results of in vitro assay demonstrated that, at concentration 2,000 µg/ml, the green ZnO-NPs was able to inhibit about 61% of the fungal growth followed by 52% of chemical ZnO-NPs. In addition, scanning electron microscopy of A. citri treated in vitro with green ZnO-NPs showed swelling and deformation of conidia. Results showed also that, using a chemically and green ZnO-NPs at 2,000 µg/ml in situ in post-harvest treatment of orange, artificially-infected with A. citri, has reduced the disease severity to 6.92% and 9.23%, respectively, compared to 23.84% of positive control (non-treated fruits) after 20 days of storage. The out findings of this study may contribute to the development of a natural, effective, and eco-friendly strategy for eradicating harmful phytopathogenic fungi.

Fungal isolates from infected Chinese quince trees were found to cause black rot in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Korea. The quince leaves withered and turned reddish-brown and fruits underwent black mummification. To elucidate the cause of these symptoms, the pathogen was isolated from infected leaf and fruit tissues on potato dextrose agar and Levan media. Several fungal colonies forming a fluffy white or dark gray mycelium and two types of fungi forming an aerial white mycelium, growing widely at the edges, were isolated. Microscopic observations, investigation of fungal growth characteristics on various media, and molecular identification using an internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α genes were performed. The fungal pathogens were identified as Diplodia parva and Diplodia crataegicola. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the pathogen-inoculated fruits exhibited a layered pattern, turning brown rotting; leaves showed circular brown necrotic lesions. The developed symptoms were similar to those observed in the field. Fungal pathogens were reisolated to fulfill Koch's postulates. Apples were inoculated with fungal pathogens to investigate the host range. Strong pathogenicity was evident in the fruits, with browning and rotting symptoms 3 days after inoculation. To determine pathogen control, a fungicidal sensitivity test was conducted using four registered fungicides. Thiophanate-methyl, propineb, and tebuconazole inhibited the mycelial growth of pathogens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation and identification of the fungal pathogens D. parva and D. crataegicola from infected fruits and leaves of Chinese quince, causing black rot disease in Korea.

Abamectin offers great protection against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a well-known devastating pathogen of pine tree stands. Trunk injection of nematicides is currently the most preferred method of control. This study aimed to evaluate the potency of the commonly used formulations of abamectin against B. xylophilus. Twenty-one formulations of abamectin were evaluated by comparing their sublethal toxicities and reproduction inhibition potentials against B. xylophilus. Nematodes were treated with diluted formulation concentrations in multi-well culture plates. And, populations pre-exposed to pre-determined concentrations of the formulations were inoculated onto Botrytis cinerea culture, and in pine twig cuttings. Potency was contrastingly different among formulations, with LC95 of 0.00285 and 0.39462 mg/ml for the most, and the least potent formulation, respectively. Paralysis generally occurred at an application dose of 0.06 μg/ml or higher, and formulations with high sublethal toxicities caused significant paralysis levels at the tested doses, albeit the variations. Nematode reproduction was evident at lower doses of 0.00053-0.0006 μg/ml both on Botrytis cinerea and pine twigs, with significant variations among formulations. Thus, the study highlighted the inconsistencies in the potency of similar product formulations with the same active ingredient concentration against the target organism, and the need to analyze the potential antagonistic effects of the additives used in formulations.

Sweet potato symptomless virus 1 (SPSMV-1) is a single-stranded circular DNA virus, belonging to the genus Mastrevirus (family Geminiviridae) that was first identified on sweet potato plants in South Korea in 2012. Although SPSMV-1 does not induce distinct symptoms in sweet potato plants, its co-infection with different sweet potato viruses is highly prevalent, and thus threatens sweet potato production in South Korea. In this study, the complete genome sequence of a Korean isolate of SPSMV-1 was obtained by Sanger sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons from sweet potato plants collected in the field (Suwon). An infectious clone of SPSMV-1 (1.1-mer) was constructed, cloned into the plant expression vector pCAMBIA1303, and agro-inoculated into Nicotiana benthamiana using three Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains (GV3101, LBA4404, and EHA105). Although no visual differences were observed between the mock and infected groups, SPSMV-1 accumulation was detected in the roots, stems, and newly produced leaves through PCR. The A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404 was the most effective at transferring the SPSMV-1 genome to N. benthamiana. We confirmed the viral replication in N. benthamiana samples through strand-specific amplification using virion-sense- and complementary-sense-specific primer sets.

The global climate change and international trade have facilitated the movement of plants across borders, increasing the risk of introducing novel plant viruses in new territories. Ixora coccinea exhibited virus-like foliar symptoms, including mosaic and mild mottle. An Oxford Nanopore Technologies-based compact and portable MinION platform was used to identify the causal viral pathogen. The complete genome sequence of jasmine virus H (JaVH; 3867 nt, JaVH-CNU) was determined and found to share 88.4-90.3% nucleotide identity with that of Jasminum sambac JaVH isolate in China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete amino acid sequences of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and coat protein revealed that JaVH-CNU was grouped separately with other JaVH isolates. This is the first report of a natural JaVH infection of >i<I. coccinea. The application of rapid nanopore sequencing for plant virus identification was demonstrated and is expected to provide accurate and rapid diagnosis for virus surveillance.