Prevalent weeds collected from cucurbit fields in Northeastern Brazil reveal new species diversity in the genus Monosporascus

Fungal species belonging to the ascomycete genus Monosporascus have no known asexual morph and the ascocarp is a globose perithecium where asci develop, containing from 1 to 6 spherical ascospores, depending on the species. Monosporascus cannonballus is the most well‐known species of the genus, and an important root pathogen associated with the vine decline of melon and watermelon crops worldwide. The aim of the present study was to characterise a collection of 35 Monosporascus‐like isolates recovered from roots of two weed species prevalent in cucurbit growing fields in Northeastern Brazil: Boerhavia diffusa and Trianthema portulacastrum. These isolates were identified based on DNA sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer regions (ITS) of the nuclear rDNA, part of the translation elongation factor gene (tef‐1α), part of the β‐tubulin gene (tub), part of the nuclear small subunit (SSU) rDNA and part of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA. Five Monosporascus species, namely Monosporascus brasiliensis, Monosporascus caatinguensis, Monosporascus mossoroensis, Monosporascus nordestinus and Monosporascus semiaridus, are newly described. Monosporascus brasiliensis, M. nordestinus and M. semiaridus were isolated from both weed species, while M. caatinguensis only from T. portulacastrum and M. mossoroensis only from B. diffusa. The present study confirms that Monosporascus spp. can colonise roots of very diverse hosts, even without causing noticeable disease symptoms, and reveals that the diversity of species in the genus Monosporascus is potentially greater than previously expected.     

Molecular genotyping of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from different regions and host plants in Iran

Genetic variation among Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from different regions and host plants were investigated using pathogenicity test, mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) and molecular markers. Six MCGs were identified and significant differences of virulence variability were observed within and among MCGs. Cluster analysis of combined repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA data discriminated 12 isolates into 11 genotypes, indicating high level of genetic polymorphism among tested isolates. Twelve isolates clustered into four major groups corresponding to their hosts andgeographical region. The variability found within closely related isolates of S.sclerotiorum indicated that such morphological and molecular markers are useful in population studies of this pathogen.     

蛇腐皮病的病原特性及其防治方法的研究

目的：对广西驯养珍稀蛇类腐皮病病原菌的特性进行研究,并对疾病有效的防治措施进行探索。方法：对蛇类腐皮病的5种主要病原菌进行药敏感试验,小白鼠接种试验、本动物回归试验,常用消毒剂的体外杀菌试验,以及对蛇场采场的综合性防治措施。结果：药敏试验表明：除绿脓杆菌外,其它蛇类腐皮病病原菌均对头孢唑啉有高度的敏感,对丁胺卡那霉素,10株菌均有不同程度的敏感,小白鼠接种试验表明：接种后24h内,变形杆菌、绿脓杆菌和腐败假单胞杆菌对小白鼠致死率为100％（各为4／4）,雷极普鲁威登斯菌致死率为25％（1／4）,金黄色葡萄球菌致死率为0％（0／4）;本动物回归试验表明：5种主要病原菌在皮肤创口接种后20天内,均可诱发腐皮病,从皮肤化脓灶及尾血均分别分离到接种菌;常用消毒剂体外抑菌试验表明,百毒杀、来苏儿、新洁尔灭对10株细菌的杀菌率均在99．9％以上,特别是百毒杀低浓度下杀菌效果尤为明显;蛇场采取综合性防治措施后,蛇腐皮病发病率由20％减少到10％以下,死亡率由10％减少到5％以下。结论：本研究的结果证明,蛇腐皮病的主要病原是变形杆菌、绿脓杆菌、腐败假单胞菌、协极普鲁威登斯菌、金黄色葡萄球菌;5种病原菌的抗药性均比较强,仅对丁胺卡那霉素、头孢唑啉有广泛的敏感性,丁胺卡那霉素、头孢唑啉为治疗蛇腐皮病的首选药物。百毒杀、来苏儿、新洁尔可作为防治蛇腐皮病的消毒剂。此外还需要采用取综合性措施才能有效地控制蛇腐皮病的发生及危害。     

Host-induced gene silencing of BcTOR in Botrytis cinerea enhances plant resistance to grey mould

Botrytis cinerea is the causal agent of grey mould for more than 200 plant species, including economically important vegetables, fruits and crops, which leads to economic losses worldwide. Target of rapamycin (TOR) acts a master regulator to control cell growth and proliferation by integrating nutrient, energy and growth factors in eukaryotic species, but little is known about whether TOR can function as a practicable target in the control of plant fungal pathogens. Here, we characterize TOR signalling of B. cinerea in the regulation of growth and pathogenicity as well as its potential value in genetic engineering for crop protection by bioinformatics analysis, pharmacological assays, biochemistry and genetics approaches. The results show that conserved TOR signalling occurs, and a functional FK506-binding protein 12 kD (FKBP12) mediates the interaction between rapamycin and B. cinerea TOR (BcTOR). RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed that BcTOR displayed conserved functions, particularly in controlling growth and metabolism. Furthermore, pathogenicity assay showed that BcTOR inhibition efficiently reduces the infection of B. cinerea in plant leaves of Arabidopsis and potato or tomato fruits. Additionally, transgenic plants expressing double-stranded RNA of BcTOR through the host-induced gene silencing method could produce abundant small RNAs targeting BcTOR, and significantly block the occurrence of grey mould in potato and tomato. Taken together, our results suggest that BcTOR is an efficient target for genetic engineering in control of grey mould, and also a potential and promising target applied in the biocontrol of plant fungal pathogens.     

Characterization and Pathogenic Relationships of Rhizoctonia solani Isolates in a Potato–Rice System and their Sensitivity to Fungicides

Potato is planted after rice in several parts of Punjab in India and both crops are attacked by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. Potato tubers showing black scurf and rice plants affected by sheath blight were collected from different regions of the state and the isolates of R. solani so obtained were studied to determine their variability and to ascertain their cross-infectivity and response to fungicides. Potato isolates of R. solani did not infect rice plants but some rice isolates were weakly pathogenic on potato, the sclerotia being less firmly attached on tuber surface, indicating a possible unsuccessful attempt of rice isolates to infect potato. Rice isolates (66.6%) grew faster (>20 mm colony growth per 24 h) than those of the potato isolates (15–20 mm growth rate per 24 h). Hyphal width of isolates from both hosts varied from 7.2 to 12.1 μm. Colony growth of most potato isolates (61.2%) was appressed, whereas that of most rice isolates (53.3%) was fluffy. Rice isolates (73.3%) formed larger sclerotia (1.5–2.0 mm in diameter) than those of the potato isolates (0.5–1.0 mm in diameter). Anastomosis studies indicated that potato isolates belonged to AG-3 and AG-5 groups while rice isolates belonged to the AG-1-1-A group. Representative R. solani isolates from the two hosts showed significant variation in response to fungicides (i.e. carbendazim, carboxin, pencycuron, propiconazole and validamycin) based on their ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ values.     

华南地区瓜类疫霉对甲霜灵的田间抗药性

【目的】了解华南地区瓜类疫霉(Phytophthora melonis)对甲霜灵的田间抗药性。【方法】2007-2010年从广西、广东两省(区)9个市冬瓜和黄瓜产区采集疫病样品,分离纯化瓜类疫霉,分别采用菌落生长速率法和叶盘漂浮法测定瓜类疫霉对甲霜灵的敏感性,并用药剂驯化方法从敏感性菌株诱导瓜类疫霉抗甲霜灵突变体。【结果】从9个市24个样点共分离纯化获得193株瓜类疫霉,抗药性检测结果表明,敏感菌株、中等抗性菌株和抗性菌株分别占测试菌株的29.0%、18.1%和52.8%;不同地区、不同寄主分离的菌株的抗性频率和抗性水平差异较大,来源于广东的菌株抗性频率和抗性水平一般高于来源广西的菌株,分离自黄瓜的菌株高于分离自冬瓜的菌株,大部分样点抗性菌株占据优势群体,个别菌株的抗性指数高达4226.9,叶盘漂浮法测定结果和菌落生长速率法相似;在含药平板上对敏感菌株进行甲霜灵抗性诱导结果表明,从60%的敏感菌株中成功诱导出对甲霜灵抗性稳定的突变体,突变体的抗性水平为敏感性亲本的189-407倍;9株来源于未施用过甲霜灵等苯基酰胺类杀菌剂样点的菌株均为敏感性菌株,其EC50值为0.0429-0.5461μg/mL,将它们EC50的平均值0.3200±0.1617μg/mL确定为华南地区瓜类疫霉对甲霜灵的敏感性基线;对两个样点的监测结果表明,瓜类疫霉抗甲霜灵菌株的频率及抗性指数有逐年增高趋势。【结论】华南广西和广东两省(区)瓜类疫霉对甲霜灵抗性普遍发生,瓜类疫霉对甲霜灵抗药性产生与其和药剂的接触密切相关。瓜类疫霉敏感性基线的建立,可为今后瓜类疫霉抗甲霜灵的评价和进一步监测提供科学依据。     

Carbendazim resistance and dimethachlone sensitivity of field isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from oilseed rape in Henan Province,China

Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most important diseases in oilseed rape‐growing areas of China. To determine the frequency of resistance of field isolates of S. sclerotiorum to carbendazim and dimethachlone, a total of 556 isolates from 10 different regions of Henan Province were obtained between 2015 and 2016. The frequency of isolates with a high‐resistance phenotype and a moderate‐resistance phenotype to carbendazim was 69.2% and 10.8%, respectively. However, S. sclerotiorum isolates resistant to dimethachlone were not detected. The baseline sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum to dimethachlone was distributed as a unimodal curve with a mean EC₅₀ value of 0.39 ± 0.09 μg ml^?1 for the inhibition of mycelial growth. Four dimethachlone‐resistant mutants were obtained from 20 wild‐type isolates induced by exposure to increasing concentrations of the fungicide in vitro. The mutants showed high levels of resistance to dimethachlone, with resistance factors that ranged from 179 to 323. Positive cross‐resistance occurred between dimethachlone and procymidone, iprodione, and fludioxonil; however, no cross‐resistance was observed for carbendazim and boscalid. The fitness of the dimethachlone‐resistant mutants was significantly lower than that of the wild‐type isolates, as measured by mycelial growth, hyphal dry weight, sclerotium number and dry weight, and pathogenicity. Additionally, based on osmotic tests, the inhibition of mycelial growth caused by NaCl applied at different concentrations was significantly higher for the dimethachlone‐resistant mutants than for their wild‐type parents.     

四株蜡蚧轮枝菌对桃蚜的侵染力及对其生殖力的影响

通过研究来自不同寄主的 4株蜡蚧轮枝菌菌株对桃蚜的侵染致死力、发病强度指数、以及对无翅成蚜生殖力及子代的影响 ,综合探讨病菌的侵染致病力及其潜力。试验 (2 4℃ ,10 0 % RH,5× 10 6孢子 /ml)结果表明 ,蜡蚧轮枝菌对无翅成蚜的侵染致死力和发病指数总体上是一致的 ,但二者在 4菌株间有明显差异 ,强弱依次为 VL FNL 95≥ VLNTV94 >VL ASA87>VLKTV79;对不同虫态 ,二者也有较大差异 ,对无翅成蚜明显高于有翅若蚜和 2～ 3龄若蚜。上述 4菌株对无翅成蚜的感染死亡高峰 ,依次为 4～ 5天、4～ 7天、4～ 8天和 5～ 9天 ,感染死亡分别为 84 .2 1～ 10 0 %、75.0 0～ 10 0 %、4 8.2 8～ 10 0 %和 2 9.6 3～ 77.78%。其中对 2～ 3龄若蚜 ,菌株间差异不很大。前 2个菌株 6天可达最高发病指数 ,虫体表面布满菌丝和分生孢子。与对照相比 ,可明显抑制无翅成蚜的生殖力。处理后 3天 ,产仔蚜量明显减少 ;4～ 5天锐减 ;8天种群产仔蚜量降低 39.59～ 4 8.37%。     

鸡大肠杆菌病病原的分离鉴定和部分生物学特性研究

无菌采取某鸡场送检的疑似大肠杆菌病的病、死鸡的心血、肝、脾、肾,进行病原菌的分离、生化鉴定、动物实验和药敏试验。生化鉴定结果显示引起该鸡场鸡只发病的病原为大肠杆菌,并且该菌对小白鼠和鸡有较强的致病力。药物敏感性试验结果显示,该菌对先锋V、头孢呋肟、头孢噻肟敏感,对庆大霉素和氧氟沙星不敏感,而链霉素、新诺明、红霉素、青霉素、氨苄西林、四环素对它完全没有抑制效果。结果表明:该鸡场出现了耐药的致病性大肠杆菌,在以后的肉鸡生产中应慎用抗生素,在使用药物治疗大肠杆菌病时,应根据药敏试验结果,选择敏感药物,且应注意交替用药,按疗程投药。     

Effects of cuticle source and concentration on germination of conidia of two isolates of Nomuraea rileyi

The effects of cuticle from larvae of Trichoplusia ni, Heliothis zea and H. virescens on rate and extent of germination of conidia of a Mississippian isolate (MS) and an Ecuadoran (EC) isolate of Nomuraea rileyi were studied. Solid substrates generally stimulated more germination than submerged substrates. There was little or no effect of cuticle source (H. zea or H. virescens) on germination of either the EC isolate or the MS isolate cultured on a solid substrate, however, differences in patterns of germination were obtained in submerged substrates. Addition of cuticle of H. zea or H. virescens generally increased the germination time for the MS isolate. Germination time for the EC isolate was significantly increased when H. virescens cuticle was used.This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product in this paper does not constitute a recommendation for use by U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

Reducing the cost of resistance; experimental evolution in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans

We have studied compensatory evolution in a fludioxonil resistant mutant of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In an evolution experiment lasting for 27 weeks (about 3000 cell cycles) 35 parallel strains of this mutant evolved in three different environmental conditions. Our results show a severe cost of resistance (56%) in the absence of fludioxonil and in all conditions the mutant strain was able to restore fitness without loss of the resistance. In several cases, the evolved strain reached a higher fitness than the original sensitive ancestor. Fitness compensation occurred in one, two or three discrete steps. Genetic analysis of crosses between different evolved strains and between evolved and ancestral strains revealed interaction between compensatory mutations and provided information on the number of loci involved in fitness compensation. In addition, we discuss the opportunities for the experimental study of evolutionary processes provided by the filamentous fungus A. nidulans.     

An improved test for evaluating the pathogenicity of isolates of Fusarium solani f.sp. pisi on pea

An improved in vitro test is described for determining the pathogenicity of Fusarium solani f.sp. pisi isolates on pea. This technique involves the use of polypropylene fibre Milcap plugs to suspend peas in boiling tubes containing spore suspensions in 0.1% water agar. Results were available after 14 days of incubation at 25°C. Four levels of pathogenicity were detected on pea cultivars Little Marvel and Dark Skinned Perfection using a total of eight isolates and strains of F. solani f.sp. pisi.     

Change in medium components and colony morphology due to mycelial growth of ectomycorrhizal fungusTricholoma bakamatsutake

Mycelia ofTricholoma bakamatsutake isolate No. 4 grew at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C, and the optimum was around 25°C. In well-buffered media of initial pH 5.0 and 6.0, No. 4 mycelia secreted gluconic acid and lowered medium pH. Mycelial growth then accelerated slightly; and with the exhaustion of glucose, growth and secretion of gluconic acid stopped. In 10 different media of initial pH 4.0–7.0, No. 4 mycelia showed higher gluconic acid secretion with higher initial pH. No. 4 mycelial grew best in pH 5.0 media, in which gluconic acid secretion was low. Mycelia of 29 isolates including No. 4 grew better in the media in which less glucose, total carbon and total nitrogen remained, and almost all isolates secreted gluconic acid. Most of the 29 isolates showed irregular colony shapes with rough mycelial fronts, brown pigmentation and aerial hypha on colony surfaces, and brown pigmentation of media under colonies. Dissimilarities were calculated with coded morphological characters on colonies, and similarity between isolates was found not to correlate with proximity of origin. Chlamydospores were observed on every colony of the 29 isolates. Chlamydospores were present on colonies of No. 4, reaching to 2 mm from the mycelial front, where brown pigmentation had not yet developed, and the numbers of chlamydospores incresed with mycelial aging.     

Characterization and correlation of pathogenicity of Botryodiplodia theobromae isolates,the causal agent of black root rot of mulberry (Morus spp.)

Abstract

The study reports the characterization of 10 isolates of mulberry black root rot causing fungus, Botryodiplodia theobromae obtained from the infected gardens of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The analysis based on cultural, morphological, pathogenicity and molecular markers (RAPD and SSRs) revealed significant variations among the isolates. Based on the disease reaction on susceptible V-1 variety, isolates were grouped as pathogenic (60%), moderate pathogenic (20%) and non-pathogenic (20%). Among all isolates, RAPDs revealed higher marker polymorphism however, based on Shannon’s Information Index (I) SSRs were more informative (0.781) compared to the former (0.444). Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) indicated a total of 5, 5 and 3 molecular markers were found to correlate with disease symptoms. Screening of germplasm using multiple strains of virulent isolates will enhance possibilities of locating diverse resistant genes. Pyramiding of these genes will aid in development of mulberry variety with durable resistance and sustainable sericulture.     

Characterization of the NikA Histidine Kinase Implicated in the Phosphorelay Signal Transduction of Aspergillus nidulans,with Special Reference to Fungicide Responses

We recently compiled a complete list of phosphorelay signal transduction components in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this study, we characterized a histidine protein kinase (designated NikA) that is found in many fungi, with special reference to responses to potent fungicides (iprodione and fludioxonil). We provided evidence that not only NikA, but also two downstream response regulators (SskA and SrrA) are crucially implicated in the mode of action of these fungicides, and also that the further downstream HogA-MAPK cascade is exaggerated abnormally (or ectopically) in hyphae by the fungicides in a manner dependent on the NikA-SskA phosphorelay.     

蛋白-O-岩藻糖基转移酶1基因CfPOFUT1在果生炭疽菌中的功能分析

【目的】蛋白-O-岩藻糖基转移酶1 (protein O-fucosyltransferase 1,POFUT1)是催化蛋白质O-岩藻糖基化的关键酶,在动物和人体内被证明调控一系列的生理病理过程,然而POFUT1基因在果生炭疽菌乃至真菌中还未见报道。本研究旨在克隆果生炭疽菌中CfPOFUT1基因,并分析其生物学功能。【方法】利用RT-PCR技术扩增CfPOFUT1的基因并进行生物信息学分析,构建了CfPOFUT1基因的沉默和过表达载体,通过PEG介导法将载体导入原生质体中获得CfPOFUT1基因的沉默和过表达突变体。测定了野生型菌株、CfPOFUT1沉默菌株和过表达菌株在PDA上的菌丝生长、分生孢子产生、萌发与附着胞形成、胁迫应答和致病力、杀菌剂敏感性等生物学表型。【结果】与野生型菌株相比,基因过表达突变体产孢量显著增加,致病力增强,对嘧菌酯敏感性降低,但对多菌灵和咪鲜胺敏感性增强。基因沉默突变体产孢量减少,细胞壁完整性、内质网应激敏感性提高,致病力减弱,对嘧菌酯敏感性提高,但对多菌灵和咪鲜胺敏感性降低。【结论】CfPOFUT1基因参与调控果生炭疽菌分生孢子产量,细胞壁完整性、内质网对应激和药剂敏感性,并对其致病性也具有一定的影响。     

江苏地区10株鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌的耐药性及致病性特征分析

[背景] 鸭疫里默氏杆菌感染是危害水禽业最严重的细菌传染性病之一,鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌病的发病率有逐渐增高趋势,给养鹅业带来了巨大经济损失。[目的] 为更好地预防控制鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌病、解决鹅养殖场临床用药问题及进一步探究鸭源和鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌之间的关系。[方法] 对江苏地区的发病鹅进行鸭疫里默氏杆菌的分离培养、多重PCR方法鉴定及生化试验,并对分离获得的10株鸭疫里默氏杆菌进行药敏试验、血清型鉴定及雏鸭致病性试验。[结果] 药敏试验结果显示,鹅源分离菌株对大观霉素、磺胺异噁唑、头孢曲松、头孢拉定、氟苯尼考最敏感,对新霉素、卡那霉素、丁胺卡那霉素、庆大霉素和克林霉素耐药性最高且多重耐药性严重。血清型鉴定表明,江苏地区分离的10株鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌主要以血清型2型为主。雏鸭致病性试验表明,鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌分离株均引起雏鸭不同程度发病,其中3株鹅源临床分离株经1×10⁷ CFU/羽攻毒后可引起雏鸭100%的致死率。[结论] 为鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌的预防控制、临床治疗及进一步研究鸭源和鹅源鸭疫里默氏杆菌之间的关系提供依据。     

Characterization of an iron sensitive Mud1 mutant in E. coli lacking the ribonucleotide reductase subunit B2

The mutant, generated by a Mud1 insertion, formed long non-viable filaments in the presence of iron and air. Under anaerobic conditions normal growth in the presence of iron was observed. The mutation was mapped by P1 transductions at 48 min on the genetic map of Escherichia coli. By Southern blotting the insertion point was determined to be in nrdB, the structural gene for the ribonucleotide reductase subunit B2. The mutation could be complemented by the cloned nrdB gene. Up to now it was assumed that E. coli possesses only one enzyme for the synthesis of deoxyribunucleotides and only conditional lethal (temperature sensitive) mutants were isolated in nrdB. The insertion of Mud1 in nrdB should lead to a complete loss of the essential B2 subunit. Since the strain was able to grow under anaerobic conditions on minimal medium lacking deoxyribonucleotides an additional pathway for the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides is postulated.     

Characterization of Pythium spp. associated with root rot of tobacco seedlings produced using the float tray system in Zimbabwe

The study was undertaken to identify and characterize Pythium isolates associated with root rot disease of tobacco seedlings as a first step towards developing management strategies for the pathogen. A total of 85 Pythium isolates were collected from diseased tobacco seedlings during 2015–2016 tobacco growing season. The isolates were identified to species level using sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region. Thereafter, a subset of the isolates was tested for sensitivity to the commonly used fungicides, metalaxyl, azoxystrobin and a combination of fenamidone/propamocarbby growing isolates on Potato Dextrose Agar plates amended with the fungicides. The sequence analysis of the ITS‐rDNA identified Pythium myriotylum as the dominant Pythium species associated with the root rot of tobacco seedlings in Zimbabwe. Pythium aphanidermatum and P. insidiosum were also identified albeit at lower frequencies. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region of the P. myriotylum isolates showed little sequence diversity giving rise to one distinct clade. The fungicide sensitivity tests showed that metalaxyl provided the best control of P. myriotylum in vitro, as compared to other fungicides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to determine and characterize Pythium species associated with root rot of tobacco in the float seedling production system in Zimbabwe.