Isolation of Pathogenicity Mutants of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis by Insertional Mutagenesis

Restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) mutagenesis was used to isolate mutants of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis impaired in pathogenicity. The race 2 strain Mel02010 was transformed with linearized pSH75, conferring resistance to hygromycin B, with or without the enzyme used to linearize the plasmid. Addition of restriction enzymes did not affect the transformation frequency. A total of 2929 REMI transformants were tested for pathogenicity to three melon cultivars, Amus, Ogon 9 and Ohi. The race 2 strains are pathogenic to Amus and Ogon 9, but not to Ohi. Of 43 transformants with reduced pathogenicity on susceptible melon cultivars, 12 mutants were examined in detail for pathogenicity, vegetative growth and integrative mode of pSH75. The levels of pathogenicity varied among these mutants. Two mutants (B48 and B137) almost completely lost pathogenicity to both susceptible cultivars, and the others had reduced pathogenicity. Mutants B48, B241, B886 and X36 were also impaired in vegetative growth. Mutant B809 was a biotin auxotroph. By DNA gel blot analysis, nine mutants were found to contain a single copy of the transformation vector. These mutants may thus be useful in isolating genes involved in pathogenicity. Received 22 December 2000/ Accepted in revised form 16 April 2001     

Expression of NEP1 by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli After Gene Replacement and Overexpression Using Polyethylene Glycol-Mediated Transformation

ABSTRACT The necrosis inducing extracellular protein Nep1 is produced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli in liquid culture. NEP1, the Nep1 protein structural gene, was disrupted in F. oxysporum f. sp. erythroxyli isolate EN-4 by gene replacement using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation. NEP1 disruption was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blot, and northern blot analysis. NEP1-disrupted transformants failed to produce Nep1 in liquid culture. NEP1 disruption did not affect the pathogenicity of isolate EN-4 toward Erythroxylum coca. Transformation of isolate EN-4 with construct pPB-FO11-45 carrying NEP1 between the trpC promoter and terminator resulted in increased production of Nep1 in potato dextrose broth plus 1% casamino acids or Czapek-Dox broth plus 1% casamino acids but not in potato dextrose broth alone. Transformation of EN-4 with construct pPB-FO11-45 was verified by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Overexpression of NEP1 was confirmed by northern blot and Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. NEP1-overexpressing transformant 15 produced 64 to 128 times as much Nep1 as EN-4 wild type when grown in shake cultures. Transformants overexpressing Nep1 in liquid culture were no more or less pathogenic toward E. coca than wild-type isolates. Nep1 was not detected in E. coca seedlings infected with NEP1-overexpressing transformants or with EN-4 wild type. In large-scale fermentations of NEP1-overexpressing transformant 15, the amount of secreted protein including Nep1 was 15.1 times that of the wild-type EN-4, providing a ready source of Nep1 for future study.     

美蕉镰孢霉枯萎病的发生及防治

美蕉又称粉蕉,具有抗逆性强、稳产、果实酸甜可口等优点,是闽南内陆山区农业结构调整中主要发展的作物之一.近年来,华安县美蕉种植面积不断扩大,达1 000 hm2.     

Molecular Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium commune Isolates from a Conifer Nursery

ABSTRACT Fusarium species can cause severe root disease and damping-off in conifer nurseries. Fusarium inoculum is commonly found in most container and bareroot nurseries on healthy and diseased seedlings, in nursery soils, and on conifer seeds. Isolates of Fusarium spp. can differ in virulence; however, virulence and colony morphology are not correlated. Forty-one isolates of Fusarium spp., morphologically indistinguishable from F. oxysporum, were collected from nursery samples (soils, healthy seedlings, and diseased seedlings). These isolates were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and DNA sequencing of nuclear rDNA (internal transcribed spacer including 5.8S rDNA), mitochon-drial rDNA (small subunit [mtSSU]), and nuclear translation elongation factor 1-alpha. Each isolate had a unique AFLP phenotype. Out of 121 loci, 111 (92%) were polymorphic; 30 alleles were unique to only highly virulent isolates and 33 alleles were unique to only isolates nonpathogenic on conifers. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of DNA sequences from all three regions and the combined data set showed that all highly virulent isolates clearly separated into a common clade that contained F. commune, which was recently distinguished from its sister taxon, F. oxysporum. Interestingly, all but one of the nonpathogenic isolates grouped into a common clade and were genetically similar to F. oxysporum. The AFLP cladograms had similar topologies when compared with the DNA-based phylograms. Although all tested isolates were morphologically indistinguishable from F. oxysporum based on currently available monographs, some morphological traits can be plastic and unreliable for identification of Fusarium spp. We consider the highly virulent isolates to be F. commune based on strong genetic evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported evidence that shows F. commune is a cause of Fusarium disease (root rot and dampingoff) on Douglas-fir seedlings. Furthermore, several AFLP genetic markers and mtSSU sequences offer potential for development of molecular markers that could be used to detect and distinguish isolates of F. oxysporum nonpathogenic to conifers and highly virulent isolates of F. commune in forest nurseries.     

sfp基因转化增强了Bacillus subtilis 168的定殖能力和对黄瓜茎内枯萎病菌的抑制作用

枯草芽胞杆菌B006是一株防治黄瓜枯萎病的高效菌株,可产生脂肽类抗生素表面活性素surfactin和芬枯草菌素fengycin。为深入了解surfactin在根际的作用,本研究通过同源重组的方法将生防芽胞杆菌B006菌株中编码4'-磷酸泛酰巯基乙胺转移酶Sfp的sfp基因整合到不产生surfactin的模式菌株B.subtilis168(B168)基因组中,获得了重组菌株B168S。重组菌株B168S在1%淀粉平板上不水解淀粉,在5%血平板上产生透明溶血圈;HPLC-ESI-MS检测表明菌株B168S在牛肉膏蛋白胨培养液中培养48 h后可产生surfactin。平板对峙试验表明菌株B168S在黄瓜根分泌物培养基上对Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.cucumerinum(Foc)菌丝生长有一定的抑制作用,抑制率R2/R1为1.22;平板菌落计数法测定表明,将菌悬液(10⁶ cfu/mL)浸泡90 min的黄瓜种子播种于无菌石英砂3 d后,菌株B168S在黄瓜根基部和根尖的定殖量分别为菌株B168的2~3倍和9~10倍;温室盆栽试验表明,黄瓜苗用浓度为106 cfu/mL的B168S和B168菌悬液蘸根后,移栽到接种Foc孢子(10⁵孢子/g)的病土中,移栽后第3周菌株B168S和B168处理的防效分别为21.1%和17.9%;对不同高度黄瓜茎中Foc的组织分离结果表明,菌株B168S处理后Foc在黄瓜茎内蔓延的相对高度低于菌株B168和Foc处理。上述结果进一步明确了surfactin可明显促进芽胞杆菌在黄瓜根部的定殖,并通过抑制枯萎病菌的侵染和在黄瓜茎中的蔓延增强对黄瓜枯萎病的防治效果。     

蓖麻枯萎病菌高效生防菌株LX1的筛选与鉴定

为筛选对蓖麻枯萎病菌Fusarium oxysporum Schl.具有抑制活性的生防菌株,本研究利用利福平选择性培养法,从花生根际土壤中筛选了一株对蓖麻枯萎病菌具有显著抑制活性的菌株 LX1。菌株 LX1在对峙培养中出现了明显的抑菌圈,孢子萌发试验显示孢子萌发抑制率为55%～78%,普通光学显微镜观察显示,菌株LX1可显著抑制F. oxysporum菌丝生长,明显造成菌丝分支增加,部分菌丝顶端和中央膨大,随着时间的延长,畸变结构和程度加剧。通过对菌株LX1的形态特征、染色反应、培养性状、生理生化测试以及16S rDNA分析,鉴定该菌株为枯草芽孢杆菌。本研究结果为菌株LX1应用于蓖麻枯萎病菌的生物防治及生物制剂的开发提供了依据。     

Granular formulation of Fusarium oxysporum for biological control of faba bean and tomato Orobanche

BACKGROUND: Orobanche spp. represent a serious threat to a wide range of crops. They are difficult targets for herbicides, and biological control could provide a possible solution. This work therefore aimed to formulate mycoherbicides of Fusarium with adequate shelf life and virulence against Orobanche but safe to faba bean and tomato. RESULTS: Only two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. (Foxy I and Foxy II) obtained from diseased Orobanche shoots were found to be pathogenic to Orobanche crenata Forsk. and Orobanche ramosa L. Conidial suspension of both isolates significantly decreased germination, attachments and tubercles of Orobanche. Microconidia and chlamydospores of both isolates were formulated as mycoherbicides encapsulated in a wheat flour–kaolin matrix (four different formulations). All formulations greatly diminished Orobanche emerged shoots, total shoot number, shoot height, attachment of emerged shoots, the germinated seeds that succeeded in emerging above the soil surface and dry weight. Meanwhile, disease incidence and disease severity of emerged shoots were enhanced. The shelf life was adequate, particularly for coarse, freshly prepared, low‐temperature‐stored, microconidia‐rich formulations. The induced growth reduction of Orobanche‐infected host plants seemed to be nullified by formulations, particularly at the highest dose. CONCLUSION: These formulations seemed to destroy Orobanche but appeared harmless to host plants. Hence, they could be efficiently used as mycoherbicides for biological control of Orobanche in faba bean and tomato. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of propargyl bromide for control of barnyardgrass and Fusarium oxysporum in three soils

With the scheduled phasing out of methyl bromide, there is an urgent need for alternatives. We evaluated the efficacy of propargyl bromide as a potential replacement for methyl bromide for the control of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and Fusarium oxysporum in an Arlington sandy loam, a Carsitas loamy sand and a Florida muck soil. Soil was mixed with barnyardgrass seeds or F oxysporum colonized on millet seeds, and treated with propargyl bromide at a range of concentrations. The mortality of the fungi and weed seeds was determined after 24 h of exposure at 30 degrees C. The concentrations required to inhibit 50% barnyard seed germination (LC50) were 2.8, 2.4 and 48.5 micrograms g-1 in the sandy loam, loamy sand and muck soil, respectively. In contrast, the LC50 values for F oxysporum were 11.2, 10.8 and 182.1 micrograms g-1 in the sandy loam, loamy sand and muck soil, respectively. The low efficacy of propargyl bromide in the muck soil was a result of the rapid degradation and high adsorption of the compound in the soil. The degradation half-life (t1/2) was only 7 h in the muck soil at an initial concentration of 6.8 micrograms g-1, compared to 60 and 67 h in the sandy loam and loamy sand, respectively. The adsorption coefficients (Kd) were 0.96, 0.87 and 5.6 cm3 g-1 in the sandy loam, loamy sand and muck soil, respectively. These results suggest that registration agencies should consider site-specific properties in recommending application rates for propargyl bromide.     

3种瓜类枯萎病菌Fusarium oxysporum的分子检测

 Fusarium oxysporum is one of the most important phytopathogens and cause Fusarium wilt disease in cucumber, watermelon and melon, etc.In this study, a pair of species-specific primers Fc-1 and Fc-2 was synthesized based on differences in internal transcribed spacer sequences of Fusarium genus.With the primers, a specific 315 bp PCR product was amplified from five F.oxysporum isolates isolated from cucumber, watermelon and melon, infected cucumber and watermelon tissues, while no product was obtained from other fourteen fungi, healthy cucumber and watermelon tissues.The detection sensitivity is 100 fg for genomic DNA of F.oxysporum and 1 000 spores/g soil for the soil pathogens.In contrast, the nested PCR with two pairs of primers(ITS1/ITS4 and Fc-1/Fc-2) increased the sensitivity by 100-fold.In addition, one-step PCR could also detect F.oxysporum in symptomless cucumber root of 7 dpi(days post inoculation) and in infected cucumber and watermelon tissues at the early stage of disease development.Therefore, the developed PCR-based method enabled rapid, sensitive and reliable detection of F.oxysporum.It also provides the detection method for early monitoring and diagnosis of the pathogen as well as the plant disease management guidance.     

防治荸荠枯萎病药剂的室内筛选及毒力测定

荸荠枯萎病（Fusariumoxysporion）是荸荠的主要病害,1994年以来,福建省一些车养生产区发病逐年严重,不仅影响李养品质．而且重病田造成绝收。它是一种土壤传播病害,防治难度大,迄今国内外对该病药剂防治报道较少。为尽快筛选出一些较好的药剂供大田防治中使用,笔者从1995年开始收集对枯萎菌有防效的农药进行室内筛选及毒力测定试验,现将初步结果报告如下：1材料与方法1．1供试药剂及浓度荸荠杆枯净500倍（广西农业大学产）;80％代森锌500倍（浙江东阳农药厂产）;50％多菌灵500倍（江苏新沂农药厂产）;50％代森锰锌800倍（江苏新…     

Differential Colonization of Tomato Roots by Nonpathogenic and Pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum Strains May Influence Fusarium Wilt Control

ABSTRACT Histochemical staining, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity, or placing roots on agar were methods used to characterize interactions between the pathogenic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, and the nonpathogenic biocontrol F. oxysporum strain 70T01 with respect to colonization behaviors, interaction sites, and population densities on tomato roots. Mycelia of strain 70T01, a genetic transformant expressing stable GUS activity, hygromycin B resistance, and effective disease control, were localized in epidermal and cortex cell layers of tomato roots in a discontinuous and uneven pattern. In contrast, mycelia of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were found in the vascular bundles. Thus, direct interactions between the two fungi likely happen in the root surface cell layers. Colonization density of strain 70T01 was related to the inoculation density but decreased with distance from the inoculation site. Host defense reactions, including increased cell wall thickness or papilla deposits, were adjacent to 70T01 hyphae. Experiments done in soil showed that strain 70T01 densities in roots were highest at inoculation zones and barely detectable for root segments more than 2 cm away from the inoculation sites. F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici densities were lowest at 70T01 inoculation zones and highest (>10 times) where strain 70T01 was not directly applied. Newly elongating roots where strain 70T01 did not reach were available for infection by the pathogen. The higher strain 70T01 density was always found when the plants were simultaneously infected by F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, suggesting that F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici has as much influence in predisposing the plant to colonization by strain 70T01 as strain 70T01 has on providing disease protection against the pathogen.     

Gene Genealogies and AFLP Analyses in the Fusarium oxysporum Complex Identify Monophyletic and Nonmonophyletic Formae Speciales Causing Wilt and Rot Disease

ABSTRACT The monophyletic origin of host-specific taxa in the plant-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum complex was tested by constructing nuclear and mitochondrial gene genealogies and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-based phylogenies for 89 strains representing the known genetic and pathogenic diversity in 8 formae speciales associated with wilt diseases and root and bulb rot. We included strains from clonal lineages of F. oxysporum f. spp. asparagi, dianthi, gladioli, lilii, lini, opuntiarum, spinaciae, and tulipae. Putatively nonpathogenic strains from carnation and lily were included and a reference strain from each of the three main clades identified previously in the F. oxysporum complex; sequences from related species were used as outgroups. DNA sequences from the nuclear translation elongation factor 1alpha and the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) ribosomal RNA genes were combined for phylogenetic analysis. Strains in vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) shared identical sequences and AFLP profiles, supporting the monophyly of the two single-VCG formae speciales, lilii and tulipae. Identical genotypes were also found for the three VCGs in F. oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae. In contrast, multiple evolutionary origins were apparent for F. oxysporum f. spp. asparagi, dianthi, gladioli, lini, and opuntiarum, although different VCGs within each of these formae speciales often clustered close together or shared identical EF-1alpha and mtSSU rDNA haplotypes. Kishino-Hasegawa analyses of constraints forcing the monophyly of these formae speciales supported the exclusive origin of F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum but not the monophyly of F. oxysporum f. spp. asparagi, dianthi, gladioli, and lini. Most of the putatively nonpathogenic strains from carnation and lily, representing unique VCGs, were unrelated to F. oxysporum f. spp. dianthi and lilii, respectively. Putatively nonpathogenic or rot-inducing strains did not form exclusive groups within the molecular phylogeny. Parsimony analyses of AFLP fingerprint data supported the gene genealogy-based phylogram; however, AFLP-based phylogenies were considerably more homoplasious than the gene genealogies. The predictive value of the forma specialis naming system within the F. oxysporum complex is questioned.     

尖孢镰刀菌及芬芳镰刀菌遗传多样性的ISSR分析

 为了明确镰刀菌属(Fusarium)美丽组（Section Elegans）中尖孢镰刀菌(F. oxysporum)和芬芳镰刀菌（F. redolens）2种菌的遗传差异性和亲缘关系,利用ISSR分子标记技术对这2种菌的35个菌株进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明,用筛选的15条引物对35个供试菌株共扩增出231条条带,其中多态性条带220条,平均多态性比率为95.2%,平均每条引物产生条带为14.7条。聚类结果和遗传相似系数分析显示,35个菌株间的遗传相似系数范围为0.506~0.935,平均为0.661。在遗传相似系数为0.593时,供试的35株镰刀菌可明显的分成2个ISSR类群（IG）,其中IGⅠ包括1～23号菌株,全部为F. oxysporum;IGⅡ包括24～35号菌株,全部为F. redolens。ISSR类群划分与菌种分类之间存在一定相关性 (IGⅠ中23株F. oxysporum间的平均相似系数为0.720,IGⅡ中12株F. redolens间的平均相似系数为0.717),但与菌株的地理来源不存在相关性。而同一类群中,菌株之间的遗传相似性与菌株的地理来源存在一定的相关性。     

Weakening and Delayed Mortality of Fusarium oxysporum by Heat Treatment: Flow Cytometry and Growth Studies

ABSTRACT Survival of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum following heat treatments was studied using flow cytometric, physiological, and microscopic assays. We exposed germinating conidia to sublethal temperatures from 36 to 42 degrees C for 60 min, followed by rhodamine 123 staining and flow cytometry, and found increasing levels of fluorescence that reflect a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating a weakening induced by stress. Viability of conidia or germinating conidia of the fungus exposed to heat decreased with increasing temperature, as assessed by fluorescent staining. However, viability was higher than that assessed with the 5-day-long plate count method and was further reduced 13 and 24 h after treatment, suggesting delayed mortality of the heat-treated germinating conidia. Delayed mortality was substantiated by observing these conidia with light and fluorescent scanning electron microscopy and by subculturing single germinating conidia that had been previously heated. Programmed cell death was not observed in heat-treated conidia or germinating conidia of F. oxysporum based on the detection of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine translocation, cell-cycle measurements, detection of DNA fragmentation, or microscopic observation of apoptotic bodies. We hypothesize that propagules, which survived the heating and apparently are alive, may undergo further irreversible detrimental processes, eventually leading to their death by yet unidentified mechanisms. These findings suggest that pathogen propagules also might be affected under lower temperatures, possibly facilitating pathogen control by heating.     

Isolation of Nonpathogenic Mutants of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis for Biological Control of Fusarium Wilt in Cucurbits

ABSTRACT Two nonpathogenic mutant strains 4/4 and 15/15 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (race 1,2) were isolated by a continuous dipinoculation technique following UV mutagenesis of the virulent wild-type isolate FOM1.2. No disease symptoms or detrimental effects were observed following inoculation of muskmelon seedlings by strain 4/4. In contrast, strain 15/15 caused mortality of susceptible cultivars although to a lesser extent than the wild-type isolate. Strain 4/4 colonized a variety of muskmelon and watermelon cultivars. In muskmelon cv. Ein Dor, seedlings were dipped in a conidial suspension of strain 4/4 and planted in medium amended with the mutant to achieve 100% colonization of roots and between 30 to 70% of the lower stem tissues 7 days after planting. Similar percent colonization of watermelon seedlings by strain 4/4 was recorded. In cross-protection experiments with muskmelon cultivars, significant reduction in seedling mortality was observed between 4/4-colonized FOM1.2. challenged plants compared with that of wild-type challenged plants alone. Similarly, strain 4/4 was able to significantly reduce mortality of watermelon seedlings caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2. This novel approach of generating nonpathogenic mutants for biological control in Fusarium spp. and other fungal pathogens from virulent wild-type isolates may be beneficial for control, because the mutant strains, lacking only in pathogenicity, may compete more efficiently than other biocontrol organisms against the pathogen of origin.     

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. canariensis: evidence for horizontal gene transfer of putative pathogenicity genes

Fusarium wilt is a serious disease of the date palm Phoenix canariensis, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. canariensis (Foc). A previous study that characterized and compared the genetic diversity of the Australian Foc population with international strains suggested that the Australian population may have had an independent evolutionary origin. The current study compared the species phylogeny of the Australian and international populations and determined that Foc is not monophyletic, separating into three supported lineages across the two phylogenetic species of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex. This confirms an independent evolutionary origin for Foc in Australia. However, phylogenetic analysis of the putative pathogenicity genes Secreted In Xylem (SIX) did not reveal any separation of the Australian and international Foc strains. Furthermore, there was very low SIX sequence diversity within Foc. Horizontal gene transfer is argued to be the most parsimonious explanation for the incongruence between the species and SIX gene phylogenies.     

A novel strain of Fusarium oxysporum from Germany and its potential for biocontrol of Orobanche ramosa

A newly isolated Fusarium oxysporum strain was investigated for its biocontrol potential against the root parasitic weed Orobanche ramosa (branched broomrape). The fungus was found to affect all developmental stages of the parasite. Orobanche seed germination was reduced by 40% in the presence of fungal conidia in vitro . The number of underground tubercles and shoots of the weed was reduced by the fungus by 55% compared with the control and 92% of tubercles were recorded as diseased in root chambers. In pot experiments, soil application of a granular formulation of the fungus resulted in a reduction of number and dry matter of Orobanche shoots by more than 90%. Spraying of a conidial suspension on aboveground Orobanche shoots caused the death of 75% of them within 2 weeks. Data from initial host-range experiments indicate that the isolate is very host-specific, not even attacking shoots of other Orobanche species. Because of these promising results, we conclude that the fungal isolate should be investigated under field conditions and be compared with other Fusarium isolates proposed for biocontrol of O. ramosa .