The validity of in vitro screening methods in the search for fungal antagonists of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing wilt of sunflower

A multi‐test screening system identified 63 fungal isolates with high in vitro biocontrol activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A bioassay method was developed, using sunflower seedlings growing in an unsterilized loam mixture. Twenty‐six isolates were tested in a series of five bioassay tests and a significant correlation (P < 0.01) was found between sclerotial infection in vitro and the number of healthy plants in vivo. Conversely, activity in an in vitro mycelial overgrowth test was not significantly correlated with activity in vivo. However, some isolates showing only mycelial activity still exerted significant disease control in both the bioassays at Littlehampton and in three additional bioassays at Sittingbourne. Only one isolate not previously reported showed significant activity in both sets of bioassays and the lack of consistency in disease control activity by all other isolates, and biocontrol agents in general, was deemed a major barrier to their use.     

Transformation of Coniothyrium minitans, a parasite of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Coniothyrium minitans is a potential biological control agent of the plant pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In this research, T-DNA insertional transformation of strain ZS-1 of C. minitans mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was obtained, with optimization of spore maturity for transformation. After confirmation by PCR, transformants were subjected to Southern blot analysis, and results showed that more than 82.7% of transformants had single T-DNA insertions, and 12.1% of transformants had two copies T-DNA insertions. The genomic DNA segments of transformants flanking the T-DNA could be amplified from both borders with TAIL-PCR. Four types of mutants were screened and identified from the T-DNA insertional library, which comprised sporulation deficient mutants, pathogenicity deficient mutants, pigment change mutants and antibiotic deficient mutant, and some of the mutants were described; the number and frequency of each type of mutant from the library were calculated, and the frequency of each type is 3.27 x 10(-3), 1.0 x 10(-4), 1.4 x 10(-4), 2.5 x 10(-4), respectively. The successful creation of the T-DNA insertional transformation library may help us to unravel the interaction between a parasite and its host at a molecular level, to clarify the differentiation and development of this fungus, and to analyze and clone functional genes from the biocontrol microorganism in tripartite associations.     

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary Populations from Different Regions and Host Plants by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of a population of isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary from different regions and host plants were investigated using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method with 20 random decamer primer pairs in order to provide some information on the phylogenetic taxa and breeding for resistance to sclerotinia stem rot. A minimum of three and a maximum of 15 unambiguously amplified bands were generated, furnishing a total of 170 bands ranging in size from 100to 3 200 bp, corresponding to an average of 8.5 bands per primer pair. One hundred and four of these 170bands (61.2%) were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphic bands for each primer pair ranging from 0.0% to 86.7%. The genetic relationships among the isolates, based on the results of RAPD analysis, were examined. The genetic similarity of all selected isolates was quite high. At the species level, the genetic diversity estimated by Nei's gene diversity (h) was 0.197 and S hannon's index of diversity (I) was 0.300. The unweighted pair-group mean analysis (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed that most isolates from the same regions were grouped in the same cluster or a close cluster. The population of isolates from Hefei (Anhui Province, China) was more uniform and relatively distant to other populations. The Canadian population collected from carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.) was relatively close to the Polish population collected from oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants. There was no relationship between isolates from the same host plants. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the percentage of variance attributable to variation among and within populations was 50.62% and 49.38%, respectively. When accessions from China, Europe, and Canada were treated as three separate groups, the variance components among groups,among populations within groups, and within populations were -0.96%, 51.48%, and 49.47%, respectively.The genetic differentiations among and within populations were highly significant (P ＜ 0.001). Similarly, the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) in total populations calculated by population genetic analysis was 0.229 4, which indicated that the genetic variation among populations was 22.94%. The gene flow (Nm)was 1.68, which indicated that the gene permutation and interaction among populations was relatively high.     

Effects of colonisation by different strains of Coniothyrium minitans on the viability of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

White mold is a major disease in commercial soybean production. An effective measure to reduce the negative effects of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the use of bio-fungicides. Strains of Coniothyrium minitans were isolated and efficacy tests against S. sclerotiorum was studied. The efficacy of pycnidiospores sprays of strain N09 (GenBank Accession No HQ908274) from Iowa, USA and strain CON/M/91-08 of Contans® WG were compared in a series of experiments. Sclerotia viability was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in both sclerotia-infested-sterilized-soils (SISS) and sclerotia-infested-unsterilized-soils (SIUS) sprayed with N09 compared with CON/M/91-08 and control at 3°C for 75d and 90d sampling. Similarly, sclerotia viability was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 23°C for 45, 60 and 75d sampling in SISS and 45, 75 and 90 d sampling in SIUS compared with CON/M/91-08 and control. In contrast, viability of N09 colonies were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of CON/M/91-08 both at 3°C and 23°C in SISS across sampling periods. While in SIUS, N09 colonies were significantly higher at 3°C for 15, 30, 45, 75 and 90 d sampling, and at 23°C for 30, 60 and 75 d sampling. Also, (1) N09 had a faster growth rate and produced 1.5 times more pycnidiospores than CON/M/91-08; (2) mycoparasitism by N09 was faster than CON/M/91-08; and (3) co-inoculation of sclerotia and the strains, N09 showed lower sclerotia reproduction than CON/M/91-08. Our data suggest that the new strain N09 has a greater efficiency than CON/M/91-08 in killing sclerotia.     

Baseline sensitivities to azoxystrobin and tebuconazole in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from sunflower in Iran related to sensitivities to carbendazim and iprodione

In this study, sensitivities of 156 Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates collected from sunflower fields of West Azarbaijan province, Iran, were assessed to carbendazim and iprodione, and the baseline sensitivities were established for azoxystrobin and tebuconazole. Resistance to carbendazim and iprodione was observed in 53.85% and 4.49% of the isolates, respectively. The 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of azoxystrobin for the isolates ranged from 0.017 to 3.515 μg/ml with a mean of 0.330 μg/ml, and 8.97% of the strains showed low levels of resistance to the fungicide. However, in the presence of salicylhydroxamic acid, all isolates were sensitive to azoxystrobin and EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.015 to 0.263 μg/ml with a mean of 0.086 μg/ml. All isolates were found to be sensitive to tebuconazole, and EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.003 to 0.177 μg/ml with a mean of 0.036 μg/ml. Among the multiple-resistant isolates, the strains exhibiting resistance to both carbendazim and iprodione were detected in the highest frequency (4.49%). No correlation was observed between mycelial growth and aggressiveness with fungicide sensitivity of the isolates suggesting the absence of fitness cost associated with resistance to the studied fungicides. The results indicated that iprodione, azoxystrobin and tebuconazole could be effectively used in rotation or mixture in spray programmes to manage S. sclerotiorum in the region. The baselines established for azoxystrobin and tebuconazole would be useful in monitoring the fungal populations in the province to assess possible shifts in fungicide sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum isolates in the future.     

Optimization of α‐Amylase Immobilization in Calcium Alginate Beads

Abstract

α‐Amylase enzyme was produced by Aspergillus sclerotiorum under SSF conditions, and immobilized in calcium alginate beads. Effects of immobilization conditions, such as alginate concentration, CaCl₂ concentration, amount of loading enzyme, bead size, and amount of beads, on enzymatic activity were investigated. Optimum alginate and CaCl₂ concentration were found to be 3% (w/v). Using a loading enzyme concentration of 140 U mL^?1, and bead (diameter 3 mm) amount of 0.5 g, maximum enzyme activity was observed. Beads prepared at optimum immobilization conditions were suitable for up to 7 repeated uses, losing only 35% of their initial activity. Among the various starches tested, the highest enzyme activity (96.2%) was determined in soluble potato starch hydrolysis for 120 min at 40°C.     

Clonostachys rosea BAFC3874 as a Sclerotinia sclerotiorum antagonist: mechanisms involved and potential as a biocontrol agent

Aims: To establish the modes of action of the antagonistic fungal strain Clonostachys rosea BAFC3874 isolated from suppressive soils against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and to determine its potential as a biocontrol agent. Methods and Results: The antagonistic activity of C. rosea BAFC3874 was determined in vitro by dual cultures. The strain effectively antagonized S. sclerotiorum in pot‐grown lettuce and soybean plants. Antifungal activity assays of C. rosea BAFC3874 grown in culture established that the strain produced antifungal compounds against S. sclerotiorum associated with secondary metabolism. High mycelial growth inhibition coincided with sclerotia production inhibition. The C. rosea strain produced a microheterogeneous mixture of peptides belonging to the peptaibiotic family. Moreover, mycoparasitism activity was observed in the dual culture. Conclusions: Clonostachys rosea strain BAFC3874 was proved to be an effective antagonist against the aggressive soil‐borne pathogen S. sclerotiorum in greenhouse experiments. The main mechanisms involve peptaibiotic metabolite production and mycoparasitism activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: Clonostachys rosea BAFC3874 may be a good fungal biological control agent against S. sclerotiorum. In addition, we were also able to isolate and identify peptaibols, an unusual family of compounds in this genus of fungi.     

Diagnosis and management of Sclerotinia stem rot (white mould) of lentils in Greece

The paper describes the field-level symptoms, the identification and management of Sclerotinia stem rot of lentil caused by the soilborne plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Greece. Regarding symptoms at a field level, initially plants before flowering turn yellow with roots and the base of the plants become brown; then rotten plants exhibit a dry stem and die. On the diseased tissue, at the base of the stem, the typical white mycelium and the resting bodies (sclerotia) were observed. According to our pathogenicity studies in vitro, on the infected plant tissues the fungus first develop a characteristic fluffy white mycelium which will give rise to large black sclerotia, the most obvious evidence of plants infected with S. sclerotiorum. Finally, concerning evaluation of fungicides, isolates of S. sclerotiorum were sensitive to thiophanate-methyl and to triazole fungicides. Thiophanate-methyl and triazole fungicides proved to be most effective in controlling the disease emerged from mycelium or sclerotia.     

Suppression of carbendazim-susceptible and -resistant Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with Macleya alkaloids

Macleaya alkaloids (abr. MCA), an extract from aerial parts of Macleaya cordata, was investigated on suppressing Sclerotinia stem rot disease. The median inhibitory concentrations (EC₅₀) of MCA on mycelia growth were 5.21 μg mL^?1 to carbendazim-susceptible (Ss01) and 6.34 μg mL^?1 to carbendazim-resistant (Hm25) S. sclerotiorum, and there was no cross-resistance between MCA and carbendazim. MCA blocked the mycelial membrane leakage and regulated the exo-secretion of the reducing sugar and oxalate in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, MCA also significantly destroyed the redox balance including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in Sclerotinia mycelia. In pot experiments, MCA showed an excellent antifungal efficacy on protecting rapeseed leaves from the infection of Ss01 and Hm25 isolates. The results suggested a potential possibility to develop MCA as an agro-chemical to control Sclerotinia stem rot disease and manage carbendazim resistance.