Pepper morphological traits related with resistance to Phytophthora capsici

Inheritance of 10 morphological and quantitative traits related to plant and fruit development and resistance to the pathogen Phytophthora capsici was studied in an intraspecific cross between a non-pungent, susceptible Capsicum annuum parent (cv. Americano) and a wild, pungent and resistant line (Serrano Criollo de Morelos-334). Data were obtained from the segregation of 166 F₂ plants and 50 F₃ plants in four years. Three of the traits analyzed (necrosis length, leaf width and leaf length) exhibited a transgressive segregation. A multiple linear regression analysis was applied in order to establish a relationship between necrosis length and some of the morphological traits measured such as length and width of leaf, length, diameter and mass of fruit, capsaicin content in fruits, and presence of hair on leaves and stems. The results identified a linear dependence between necrosis length (as an inverse measurement of resistance) and leaf width, fruit diameter and hair presence in the stem. Pungency was not related with resistance.     

抗甲霜灵辣椒疫霉菌的环境适合度

摘要:【目的】研究抗甲霜灵辣椒疫霉菌的环境适合度,对于评估甲霜灵防治辣椒疫霉的抗药性风险具有重要意义。【方法】以室内药剂驯化的抗甲霜灵辣椒疫霉菌株Pc2-3为研究对象,分析比较其与原始敏感菌株Pc2的主要生物学特性、生长竞争力、致病力及土壤适合度等环境适合度指标。【结果】Pc2-3孢子囊产生量(3 d后)、孢子囊释放率(24 h后)和游动孢子萌发率(8 h后)分别是Pc2的0.44、0.09和0.54倍。Pc2-3可生长温度和pH范围及最适生长温度与Pc2基本一致,但菌丝生长速率低于Pc2。竞争力测定显示,在胡萝卜(CA)平板培养条件下,Pc2-3生长极显著弱于Pc2。盆栽致病试验显示,Pc2-3对辣椒植株的致病率为14.3%,明显低于Pc2(88.6%)。两者等量混合后接种,辣椒植株的发病率为75.7%,接近单独接种Pc2时的发病率,且所有病株分离出的辣椒疫霉菌均为甲霜灵敏感型。分别将Pc2-3和Pc2游动孢子加入自然土壤培养20 d后,实时定量PCR检测显示Pc2-3数量是Pc2的0.28倍,当土壤中含有300 mg/kg干土的甲霜灵,则前者为后者的0.42倍。此外,2个菌株最适存活土壤温度和湿度基本一致,当土壤温度和湿度利于辣椒疫霉存活时,Pc2-3土壤适合度显著低于Pc2,不利于辣椒疫霉存活时,Pc2-3土壤适合度略低于Pc2。【结论】抗甲霜灵菌株Pc2-3环境适合度弱于原始敏感菌株Pc2。     

土壤中辣椒疫霉分离方法的研究与量化测定

从杭州、西安、广州及武汉等辣椒病田分别采集土样 ,室内晾干研碎后 ,用选择性培养基 ,采用土壤稀释平板法和组织诱饵法分离辣椒疫霉 (PhytophthoracapsiciLeonian) ,并对土壤中辣椒疫霉的密度进行量化处理。结果表明 ,利用选择性燕麦培养基 ,采用土壤稀释平板法可分离获得大量的辣椒疫霉菌株 ,而且辣椒连作田的辣椒疫霉菌密度高于轮作田。组织诱饵法试验结果表明 ,辣椒叶片诱集效果最好 ,其次是辣椒果实。     

Genetic transformation of the plant pathogens Phytophthora capsici and Phytophthora parasitica.

Phytophthora capsici and P.parasitica were transformed to hygromycin B resistance using plasmids pCM54 and pHL1, which contain the bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) fused to promoter elements of the Ustilago maydis heat shock hsp70 gene. Enzymes Driselase and Novozyme 234 were used to generate protoplasts which were then transformed following exposure to plasmid DNA and polyethylene glycol 6000. Transformation frequencies of over 500 transformants per micrograms of DNA per 1 x 10(6) protoplasts were obtained. Plasmid pCM54 appears to be transmitted in Phytophthora spp. as an extra-chromosomal element through replication, as shown by Southern blot hybridization and by the loss of plasmid methylation. In addition, transformed strains retained their capacity of infecting Serrano pepper seedlings and Mc. Intosh apple fruits, the host plants for P.capsici and P.parasitica, respectively.     

Variation in Capsidiol Sensitivity between Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora capsici Is Consistent with Their Host Range

Plants protect themselves against a variety of invading pathogenic organisms via sophisticated defence mechanisms. These responses include deployment of specialized antimicrobial compounds, such as phytoalexins, that rapidly accumulate at pathogen infection sites. However, the extent to which these compounds contribute to species-level resistance and their spectrum of action remain poorly understood. Capsidiol, a defense related phytoalexin, is produced by several solanaceous plants including pepper and tobacco during microbial attack. Interestingly, capsidiol differentially affects growth and germination of the oomycete pathogens Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora capsici, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study we revisited the differential effect of capsidiol on P. infestans and P. capsici, using highly pure capsidiol preparations obtained from yeast engineered to express the capsidiol biosynthetic pathway. Taking advantage of transgenic Phytophthora strains expressing fluorescent markers, we developed a fluorescence-based method to determine the differential effect of capsidiol on Phytophtora growth. Using these assays, we confirm major differences in capsidiol sensitivity between P. infestans and P. capsici and demonstrate that capsidiol alters the growth behaviour of both Phytophthora species. Finally, we report intraspecific variation within P. infestans isolates towards capsidiol tolerance pointing to an arms race between the plant and the pathogens in deployment of defence related phytoalexins.     

辣椒疫霉菌侵染模型和侵染条件定量研究

在生长箱内控制条件下分析测定了土壤温度、水分含量对辣椒疫病死苗率的影响.结果表明:土壤温度和水分状况是决定辣椒疫病菌侵染的重要因子,病菌侵染的最适土壤温度为22 ℃～28 ℃,最适土壤含水量为40%,土壤过于干燥和过饱和都不利于病菌侵染发病;辣椒疫病死苗率与土壤温度、水分含量及其互作可用数学模式描述.田间调查发现,辣椒疫病田间流行趋势可用Gompertz模型描述,发病率与初始发病率、土壤温度、水分含量以及空气温度密切相关.建立了田间辣椒疫病发病率预测模型.     

A Phytophthora capsici effector suppresses plant immunity via interaction with EDS1

EDS1 (Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1) plays a crucial role in both effector-triggered immunity activation and plant basal defence. However, whether pathogen effectors can target EDS1 or an EDS1-related pathway to manipulate immunity is rarely reported. In this study, we identified a Phytophthora capsici Avirulence Homolog (Avh) RxLR (Arg-any amino acid-Leu-Arg) effector PcAvh103 that interacts with EDS1. We demonstrated that PcAvh103 can facilitate P. capsici infection and is required for pathogen virulence. Furthermore, genetic evidence showed that PcAvh103 contributes to virulence through targeting EDS1. Finally, PcAvh103 specifically interacts with the lipase domain of EDS1 and can promote the disassociation of EDS1–PAD4 (Phytoalexin Deficient 4) complex in planta. Together, our results revealed that the P. capsici RxLR effector PcAvh103 targets host EDS1 to suppress plant immunity, probably through disrupting the EDS1–PAD4 immune signalling pathway.     

Characterisation of Phytophthora capsici isolates from black pepper in Vietnam

Phytophthora foot rot of black pepper caused by Phytophthora capsici is a major disease of black pepper (Piper nigrum) throughout Vietnam. To understand the population structure of P. capsici, a large collection of P. capsici isolates from black pepper was studied on the basis of mating type, random amplified microsatellites (RAMS) and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) fingerprinting. Two mating types A1 and A2 were detected in four provinces in two climatic regions, with A1:A2 ratios ranging from 1:3 to 1:5. In several instances A1 and A2 mating types were found to co-exist in the same farm or black pepper pole, suggesting the potential for sexual reproduction of P. capsici in the field in Vietnam although its contribution to disease epidemics is uncertain. RAMS and REP DNA fingerprinting analysis of 118 isolates of P. capsici from black pepper showed that the population was genetically more diverse where two mating types were found, although the overall genetic diversity was low with most of the isolates belonging to one clonal group. The implication of these findings is discussed. The low diversity among isolates suggests that the P. capsici population may have originated from a single source. There was no genetic differentiation of isolates from different climatic regions. In addition to the large clonal group, several isolates with unique RAMS/REP phenotypes were also detected. Most of these unique phenotypes belonged to the minority A1 mating type. This may have significant implications for a gradual increase in overall genetic diversity.     

Behaviour of the Phenolic Compounds on Capsicum annuum Leaves Infected with Phytophthora capsici

In Capsicum annuum leaves, some phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and various apigenin or luteolin glycosides, can be separated by HPLC technique. During infection with Phytophthora capsici (the agent of pepper mildew), the concentrations of these compounds decreased. A fungal glucosidasic activity may be implicated, producing apigenin aglycon in the necrotic areas. Some of the phenolic compounds were only present in intercellular spaces, where their concentration increasedduring fungal infection, mostly in the resistant pepper cultivar. The involvement of phenolics in C. annuum resistance is discussed in relation to oxidative metabolism.     

Capsidiol: Its role in the resistance of Capsicum annuum to Phytophthora capsici

Inoculation of the stems of three Capsicum annuum L. cultivars showing different degrees of sensitivity to the fungal pathogen Phytophthora capsici , resulted in a hypersensitive reaction being expressed along the stems. One of the peppers (cv. Smith-5) showed resistance by total inhibition of fungal growth. Capsidiol, a phytoalexin, which accumulates in the area of necrosis appears to be involved in this resistance. Capsidiol accumulation was analyzed by gas chromatography and was correlated with the restricted growth of P. capsici , in vivo and in vitro, confirming the former's fungistatic and fungitoxic properties. The capacity to inhibit pathogenic growth was evident only when capsidiol production exceeded 1 204 μg ml^-1, a level reached in the resistant variety after 6 days of incubation. Experiments on induced resistance showed that a second inoculation of the stems of the three cultivars also resulted in necrosis and in an accumulation of capsidiol, although to a lesser extent than in the first inoculation. The greater accumulation of capsidiol in the stems of cv. Smith-5 is in accordance with the resistance shown by this cultivar to P. capsici , and confirms the implication of capsidiol in the disease resistance of this cultivar to fungal pathogens. Capsidiol has a fungistatic character at a mean concentration of 3.75 mM, and is fungitoxic at levels above 5 mM. This level must be exceeded and all the growing hyphae must be affected for capsidiol to qualify from being fungistatic to being fungitoxic.     

贵州地区木霉菌分离鉴定及对辣椒疫霉的拮抗作用

【背景】辣椒疫霉是一种毁灭性的土传病害,当前主要使用化学合成杀菌剂防治,但容易导致环境污染和食品安全等问题。【目的】筛选可拮抗辣椒疫霉的候选菌株,探究分离菌株拮抗辣椒疫霉的生理生化作用机制。【方法】综合应用形态学、核糖体RNA (rRNA)基因非转录区ITS序列相似性方法鉴定分离菌株,通过对峙实验筛选抑菌效果较高的拮抗菌株,基于比色法测定分离菌株发酵液粗提物对辣椒疫霉菌丝脂质过氧化、纤维素酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶(β-GC)和多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)活性的影响。【结果】从腐木和土壤样品中分离得到11株木霉,分属于绿色木霉(Trichodermavirens)、哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)、钩状木霉(Trichoderma hamatum)和棘孢木霉(Trichoderma asperellum) 4个种。11株木霉对辣椒疫霉均有一定的抑制作用,抑制率达到90%以上的菌株包括:绿色木霉Tv-1(92.68%)、Tv-2 (95.12%),哈茨木霉Thz-2 (92.68%),钩状木霉Tha-1 (90.24%)。以4株高效木霉的发酵液粗提物处理辣椒疫霉菌丝5 d后,因脂质过氧化产生的丙二醛含量显著增加,分别达到1.20、1.48、2.69和3.16 nmol/g,显著高于对照处理的0.77 nmol/g;与对照组相比,β-GC、PG酶活性显著下降,分别降低了12.28%-64.91%、7.2%-15.5%;同时纤维素酶活性呈上升趋势,最显著组为2.647 U/mL,相对于对照组增加了0.831U/mL。【结论】分离得到4株明显抑制辣椒疫霉菌生长的高效木霉菌,主要通过破坏细胞壁结构、降低致病因子酶活力和增强脂质过氧化等方式起拮抗作用,可为辣椒疫病的生物防治提供理论依据和技术支持。     

辣椒疫霉PcCRN20-C蛋白的表达纯化及结晶

CRN(crinkling and necrosis-inducing protein)为疫霉菌在与寄主互作过程中分泌的一类特有胞质效应因子,干扰寄主细胞正常的生理代谢和功能。采用PCR法从辣椒疫霉LT1534菌株c DNA中克隆PcCRN20-C基因。该基因序列长783bp,编码261个氨基酸。构建重组表达载体,并转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)。在优化条件下诱导表达重组蛋白,利用Ni-NTA金属螯合层析、离子交换层析、分子筛层析和胰蛋白酶酶解技术获得高纯目的蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析表明,蛋白质分子量约为25kDa。采用座滴气相扩散法进行晶体制备和筛选,成功获得了蛋白质晶体,并通过X-射线衍射仪收集了晶体衍射花样。结合蛋白质晶体学方法,获得了有衍射的辣椒疫霉PcCRN20-C蛋白晶体,为进一步研究CRN蛋白的结构与病原菌致病机制提供参考资料。     

Biological Control of Oomycete Soilborne Diseases Caused by Phytophthora capsici,Phytophthora infestans,and Phytophthora nicotianae in Solanaceous Crops

Oomycete pathogens that belong to the genus Phytophthora cause devastating diseases in solanaceous crops such as pepper, potato, and tobacco, resulting in crop production losses worldwide. Although the application of fungicides efficiently controls these diseases, it has been shown to trigger negative side effects such as environmental pollution, phytotoxicity, and fungicide resistance in plant pathogens. Therefore, biological control of Phytophthora-induced diseases was proposed as an environmentally sound alternative to conventional chemical control. In this review, progress on biological control of the soilborne oomycete plant pathogens, Phytophthora capsici, Phytophthora infestans, and Phytophthora nicotianae, infecting pepper, potato, and tobacco is described. Bacterial (e.g., Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Chryseobacterium, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces) and fungal (e.g., Trichoderma and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) agents, and yeasts (e.g., Aureobasidium, Curvibasidium, and Metschnikowia) have been reported as successful biocontrol agents of Phytophthora pathogens. These microorganisms antagonize Phytophthora spp. via antimicrobial compounds with inhibitory activities against mycelial growth, sporulation, and zoospore germination. They also trigger plant immunity-inducing systemic resistance via several pathways, resulting in enhanced defense responses in their hosts. Along with plant protection, some of the microorganisms promote plant growth, thereby enhancing their beneficial relations with host plants. Although the beneficial effects of the biocontrol microorganisms are acceptable, single applications of antagonistic microorganisms tend to lack consistent efficacy compared with chemical analogues. Therefore, strategies to improve the biocontrol performance of these prominent antagonists are also discussed in this review.     

Inhibitory Effect of Paenibacillus polymyxa GBR-462 on Phytophthora capsici Causing Phytophthora Blight in Chili Pepper

In the present work 25 strains of Paenibacillus polymyxa isolated from rotted ginseng roots were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Phytophthora capsici in vitro . Based on antimicrobial activity, 15 strains categorized as strongly antimicrobial, among them GBR-462 was found as the most active, and five strains each as weekly antimicrobial and no antimicrobial. Antimicrobial activity was influenced by the initial inoculum density, as strains of P. polymyxa with a strong antimicrobial activity (including P. polymyxa GBR-462) showed the antimicrobial activity against P. capsici and could form biofilm only when they were applied at the higher initial inoculums, 10⁸ cfu/ml. No inhibitory effect was noted on the mycelial growth and zoospore germination of the pathogen when applied at the lower inoculum density of 10⁶ cfu/ml of P. polymyxa GBR-462. However, sporangium formation and zoospore release was significantly inhibited at the lower inoculum density. Also light and electron microscopy revealed the structures of sporangia aberrant with no or few healthy nuclei, indicating sporangium and zoospore formation inhibited at the lower inoculum density. Application of P. polymyxa GBR-462 into potted soil suppressed disease progression as well as disease severity; disease severity was reduced by 30% as compared to untreated pots, suggesting P. polymyxa GBR-462 could be a potential biocontrol agent against Phytopthora capsici .     

辣椒感染疫病后生化指标的响应研究

采用生理生化分析方法研究了辣椒感染疫病后叶片中几个生化指标的变化。结果表明,染病前后感病品种叶片中可溶性总糖含量持续高于抗病品种;抗病类型品种和感病类型品种的可溶性蛋白含量变化规律均表现为先升高后下降,但接种前其叶片中可溶性蛋白含量两者间无明显差异;抗病类型和感病类型辣椒接种后保护酶活性均升高,而且感病类型的POD和ASP酶活性在接种后120h显著高于抗病类型;高抗类型叶片中PPO活性增加幅度显著大于感病类型,但抗病类型品种PPO活性上升趋势比较平缓。接种后,感病品种PAL活性上升幅度小于高抗品种,接种后96h PAL活性开始逐渐下降。可溶性总糖含量和苯丙氨酸解氨酶可以作为辣椒苗期抗疫病鉴定的生化指标。     

Loss of Heterozygosity Drives Clonal Diversity of Phytophthora capsici in China

Phytophthora capsici causes significant loss to pepper (Capsicum annum) in China and our goal was to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for P. capsici and characterize genetic diversity nationwide. Eighteen isolates of P. capsici from locations worldwide were re-sequenced and candidate nuclear and mitochondrial SNPs identified. From 2006 to 2012, 276 isolates of P. capsici were recovered from 136 locations in 27 provinces and genotyped using 45 nuclear and 2 mitochondrial SNPs. There were two main mitochondrial haplotypes and 95 multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) identified. Genetic diversity was geographically structured with a high level of genotypic diversity in the north and on Hainan Island in the south, suggesting outcrossing contributes to diversity in these areas. The remaining areas of China are dominated by four clonal lineages that share mitochondrial haplotypes, are almost exclusively the A1 or A2 mating type and appear to exhibit extensive diversity based on loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Analysis of SNPs directly from infected peppers confirmed LOH in field populations. One clonal lineage is dominant throughout much of the country. The overall implications for long-lived genetically diverse clonal lineages amidst a widely dispersed sexual population are discussed.     

Activity of Ten Fungicides against Phytophthora capsici Isolates Resistant to Metalaxyl

Pepper Phytophthora blight (PPB), caused by Phytophthora capsici, is an important disease of pepper in China. The extensive application of metalaxyl has resulted in widespread resistance to this fungicide in field. This study has evaluated the activities of several fungicides against the mycelial growth and sporangium germination of metalaxyl‐sensitive and metalaxyl‐resistant P. capsici isolates by determination of EC₅₀ values. The results showed that the novel carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicide mandipropamid exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against PPB both in vitro and in vivo, with averagely EC₅₀ values of 0.075 and 0.004 μg/ml in mycelial growth and sporangium germination, respectively, and over 88% efficacy in controlling PPB. The other three CAA fungicides also provided over 70% efficacy in controlling PPB. The mycelial growth was less sensitive to quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides azoxystrobin and trifloxystrobin than that of sporangium germination in P. capsici isolates. However, azoxystrobin and trifloxystrobin provided over 80% efficacy in controlling PPB. It was noted that propamocarb and cymoxanil did not exhibit activity against the mycelial growth or sporangium germination of P. capsici isolates in the in vitro tests, with over 70% efficacy in controlling PPB. The new fungicide mixture 62.5 g/l fluopicolide + 625 g/l propamocarb (trade name infinito, 687.5 g/l suspension concentrate (SC)) produced over 88% efficacy in controlling PPB caused by both metalaxyl‐sensitive and metalaxyl‐resistant isolates. The data of this study also proved that there was obviously no cross‐resistance between metalaxyl and the other tested fungicides. Therefore, these fungicides should be good alternatives to metalaxyl for the control of PPB and management of metalaxyl resistance.     

Electron microscopy of gametangial interaction and oospore development in Phytophthora capsici

Gametangial development and oospore formation were studied, with emphasis on cell wall morphogenesis, on mated cultures (A¹xA²) of Phytophthora capsici. In this species, the oogonial and antheridial hyphae interact to produce a typical amphigynous antheridium. The following developmental steps were recognized: 1) contact between oogonial and antheridial initials; 2) penetration of the antheridial initial by the oogonial initial; 3) reemergence of the oogonial initial; 4) oogonial expansion; 5) gametangial delimitation and oogonial wall thickening; 6) penetration of the oogonium by the antheridial fertilization tube; 7) oosphere formation; 8) periplasm degeneration and outer oospore wall formation; and 9) inner oospore wall formation. Electron micrographs were obtained of steps 3–9. Steps 1 and 2 were reconstructed from subsequent events. Steps 3–6 are stages of active wall formation with clear indication of intensive dictyosome activity leading to the formation of numerous wall-destined vesicles of two different sizes and electron densities. No vesicles were seen associated with the development of the inner oospore wall; however, by this stage of development the oosphere cytoplasm exhibited an overall intense electron density that obscured fine detail. Cytoplasmic appearance changed enormously during differentiation, from a developing oogonium rich in mitochondria, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes and their vesicles, through an oosphere filled with large finger-print vacuoles and lipid-like bodies, to a mature oospore with a large central vacuole (ooplast) surrounded by a cortex of numerous lipid-like bodies; other organelles are confined to the interstitial space between these storage bodies.