The Leptosphaeria maculans – Leptosphaeria biglobosa species complex in the American continent

Stem canker of oilseed rape (canola, Brassica napus ) is associated with a species complex of two closely related fungal species, Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa . Of these, L. maculans is the most damaging and develops gene-for-gene relationships with the host . Here, a wide scale analysis of the L. maculans - L. biglobosa species complex was performed throughout the American continent (23 locations from Chile to Canada) plus several locations in Western Australia for comparison purposes, based on a collection of 1132 isolates from infected tissues of a susceptible cultivar. Fungal species were discriminated on the basis of morphological, phytopathological and molecular criteria and showed that L. biglobosa was closely associated with L. maculans in most of the locations. Multiple gene phylogeny using sequences of ITS, actin and β-tubulin confirmed the prevalence of the L. biglobosa 'canadensis' sub-clade in Canada, whereas up to three different sub-clades of L. biglobosa were found in Georgia (USA). Race structure of L. maculans was investigated using a combination of pathogenicity tests and PCR amplification of avirulence alleles AvrLm1 , AvrLm4 and AvrLm6 . Three contrasting situations were observed: (i) race structure in Ontario, Chile and Georgia was related to that of European and Western Australian populations, with a low race diversity; (ii) only one race was found in Mexico, and not found outside of this country; (iii) a large diversity of races was observed in central Canada (Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan) with very specific features including maintenance of avirulence alleles absent from Europe, absence of the AvrLm7 allele common in Europe (or eastern Canada) and wide location-to-location variability.     

进境澳大利亚大麦夹杂油菜茎基溃疡病菌的检疫鉴定

采用常规平板分离法, 从进境澳大利亚大麦中夹杂的油菜籽上获得1株疑似油菜茎基溃疡病菌的菌株01829?通过致病性测定?形态学观察?特异性引物扩增?ITS序列比对分析, 对01829进行了种类鉴定?结果表明:菌株01829在PDA培养基上生长较慢, 菌落边缘不整齐, 产生大量分生孢子器和分生孢子; 采用特异性引物对LMR1-D和Lmb分别进行PCR检测, 结果均有预期扩增片段产生; 基于ITS序列构建的系统发育树中, 菌株01829和GenBank中其他油菜茎基溃疡病菌相关序列聚在同一分支; 菌株01829接种油菜子叶和茎基部, 在子叶和茎基部接种部位分别引起叶斑和凹陷溃疡斑?根据上述试验结果, 将菌株01829鉴定为油菜茎基溃疡病菌, 这是我国口岸首次从进境澳大利亚大麦中截获油菜茎基溃疡病菌?     

Strategies to prevent spread of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) onto oilseed rape crops in China; costs and benefits

Field experiments in Europe have shown that Chinese cultivars of winter oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ) are very susceptible to the pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans (cause of phoma stem canker). Climatic and agronomic conditions in China are suitable for L. maculans since the closely related but less damaging pathogen L. biglobosa occurs on the winter and spring oilseed rape crops there. Major gene resistance to L. maculans is not durable; when introduced into commercial oilseed rape cultivars it is rapidly rendered ineffective by changes in the pathogen population. The threat to Chinese oilseed rape production from L. maculans is illustrated by the way in which L. maculans has spread into other areas of the world where previously only L. biglobosa was present, such as Canada and Poland. Models were developed to describe the spread (in space and time) of L. maculans across Alberta province, Canada, based on survey data collected over a 15-year period. These models were used to estimate the potential spread of L. maculans across the Yangtze river oilseed rape growing areas of China and its associated costs. Short-term strategies to prevent occurrence of severe phoma stem canker epidemics in China include training of extension workers to recognise symptoms of the disease and use of PCR-based diagnostics to detect the pathogen on imported seed. Long-term strategies include the introduction of durable resistance to L. maculans into Chinese oilseed rape cultivars as a component of an integrated disease management programme. The costs of such strategies in relation to costs of a phoma stem canker epidemic are discussed.     

Geostatistical analysis of the distribution of Leptosphaeria species causing phoma stem canker on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in England

In June/July 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006, regional variation in distribution of the pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa that are causally associated with phoma stem canker was surveyed on winter oilseed rape crops in England. In 2001–2003, when isolates from basal cankers were visually identified as L. maculans or L. biglobosa based on cultural morphological characteristics, 70% were L. maculans and 30% L. biglobosa . In 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006, when amounts of DNA of each species in basal cankers were determined by quantitative PCR, the abundance of L. maculans DNA was greater than that of L. biglobosa DNA in 77% of samples. When regional differences in amounts of L. maculans and L. biglobosa DNA were mapped geostatistically, quantities of L. maculans DNA were greater in cankers from southern England and those of L. biglobosa DNA were greater in northern England. A comparison with geostatistically mapped predictions made using a weather-based model describing stages in development of phoma stem canker epidemics suggested that these differences in Leptosphaeria populations may have been a consequence of differences in temperature after onset of leaf spotting between northern and southern England. Both PCR and morphological evidence suggested that the abundance of L. maculans in England has increased since the last surveys in the 1980s. Implications of these surveys for control of phoma stem canker are discussed.     

Effects of temperature on maturation of pseudothecia of Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa on oilseed rape stem debris

Effects of temperature on maturation of pseudothecia of Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa , closely related species which coexist on UK oilseed rape, were investigated. Stages in pseudothecial maturation on naturally infected oilseed rape debris were examined, both in controlled environments (5, 10, 15 or 20°C) under continuous wetness and in natural conditions (debris exposed in September and December 2000, and July, September and November 2002). Pseudothecia sampled weekly were assigned to maturation classes A (asci undifferentiated), B (asci differentiated), C (ascospores differentiated) or D (ascospores mature). Progress in pseudothecial maturation (assessed by time until 50% of pseudothecia reached each class) was similar for L. maculans and L. biglobosa at 15–20°C, but L. biglobosa matured more slowly at < 10°C. Maturation time decreased almost linearly with temperature from 5 to 20°C under continuous wetness but was longer in natural conditions, especially when periods of dry weather occurred. Differences in pseudothecial maturation are likely to contribute to epidemiological differences between L. maculans and L. biglobosa , which may explain their coexistence. It is appropriate to use the degree-day approximation to assess pseudothecial maturation at temperatures between 5 and 20°C, providing debris is wet.     

油菜茎基溃疡病菌的实时荧光PCR检测

 根据油菜茎基溃疡病菌Leptosphaeria maculans与其近似种ITS序列的差异,设计了检测L. maculans的引物Lmb3/R2和探针Probe-M,建立了L. maculans的实时荧光PCR检测方法。试验结果表明,来自加拿大、澳大利亚和乌克兰等国的22株L. maculans菌株都能得到阳性扩增,而供试的30株L. biglobosa菌株和6株其他菌株以及空白对照没有荧光信号的增加。该检测方法的灵敏度达到4 pg菌丝DNA,整个检测过程控制在4 h内,其快速、特异和灵敏的特点可以满足进境油菜籽样品的快速初检以及病菌分离物的快速鉴定。     

Resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) in Brassica napus (oilseed rape) induced by L. biglobosa and chemical defence activators in field and controlled environments

Effects of pretreatment of Brassica napus leaves with ascospores of Leptosphaeria biglobosa or chemical defence activators [acibenzolar- S -methyl (ASM) or menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB)] on infection by ascospores of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and development of disease were studied in controlled-environment (phoma leaf spot) and field (phoma leaf spot and stem canker) experiments. In controlled-environment experiments, pretreatment of oilseed rape leaves (cv. Madrigal) with L. biglobosa , ASM or MSB delayed the appearance of L. maculans phoma leaf spot lesions. These pretreatments also decreased the phoma leaf spot lesion area in both pretreated leaves (local effect) and untreated leaves (systemic effect). In winter oilseed rape field experiments in the 2002/03 and 2003/04 growing seasons, pretreatment with L. biglobosa or ASM in October/November decreased not only the number of phoma leaf spot lesions per leaf caused by L. maculans in autumn/winter, but also the severity of phoma stem canker in the subsequent spring/summer. Effects were greater in 2002/03 (when natural L. maculans ascospore release began in September 2002) than in 2003/04 (when ascospore release began in December following a period of dry weather in August/September 2003). These results suggest that pretreatment with biological or chemical defence activators can induce local and systemic resistance to L. maculans , with both short-term effects on the development of phoma leaf spotting and long-term effects on the development of stem canker 8 months later.     

Epidemiology and management of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) on oilseed rape in Australia, Canada and Europe

Phoma stem canker (blackleg), caused by Leptosphaeria maculans , is an important disease on oilseed rape (canola, rapeseed, Brassica napus , Brassica juncea , Brassica rapa ) causing seedling death, lodging or early senescence in Australia, Canada and Europe, but not in China. The two forms of L. maculans (A group and B group) that occur on oilseed rape are now considered to be separate species. The epidemiology and severity of phoma stem canker differs between continents due to differences in the pathogen population structure, oilseed rape species and cultivars grown, climate and agricultural practices. Epidemics are most severe in Australia, where only the A group occurs, and can be damaging in Canada and western Europe, where both A and B groups occur, although their proportions vary within regions and throughout the year. Epidemics are slight in China, where the A group has not been found. Dry climates (Australia, western Canada) lengthen the persistence of infected debris and may synchronize the release of airborne ascospores (after rain) with seedling emergence. L. maculans spreads from cotyledon and leaf infections down petioles to reach the stem, with infections on cotyledons and leaves early in the season producing the most damaging stem cankers at the stem base (crown). Development of both crown cankers and phoma stem lesions higher up stems is most rapid in regions with high temperatures from flowering to harvest, such as Australia and Canada. Breeding for resistance (genetic, disease escape or tolerance), stubble management, crop rotation and fungicide seed treatments are important strategies for control of phoma stem canker in all areas. Fungicide spray treatments are justified only in regions such as western Europe where high yields are obtained, and accurate forecasts of epidemic severity are needed to optimize their use.     

Splash dispersal of Leptosphaeria maculans pycnidiospores and the spread of blackleg on oilseed rape

The fungus Leptosphaeria maculans causes blackleg (phoma stem canker), one of the most serious diseases of oilseed rape. The role of pycnidiospores produced during asexual reproduction is poorly documented and limits the understanding of the pathogen's population dynamics. The objectives of this study were to assess rain-splash dispersal of pycnidiospores of L. maculans from phoma leaf spots, and transmission of the disease from oilseed rape stubble carrying pycnidia. The work was conducted in still air with either a drop generator or a rain simulator. The impact of simulated incident drops on phoma leaf spots resulted in the dispersal of L. maculans pycnidiospores within splash droplets. Ninety per cent of the spores were collected within 14 cm of the source and a few were regularly observed up to 40 cm. Pycnidiospores produced on oilseed rape stubble and dispersed by simulated rain infected oilseed rape trap plants in a spatial pattern that matched the spatial dispersal of the pycnidiospores. In the field, rain-splash dispersal of pycnidiospores could increase the pathogen population and may enhance sexual reproduction by facilitating the mating of initially spatially separated isolates of opposite mating type.     

Survival of Leptosphaeria maculans in soil on residues of Brassica napus in South Australia

The survival of Leptosphaeria maculans , which causes phoma stem canker (blackleg), on oilseed rape residues ( Brassica napus ) in South Australia was investigated. Using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for L. maculans DNA, the pathogen was mainly detected in the upper 5 cm of the soil profile, including residues on the soil surface. As the size of organic matter particles in the soil decreased, so did the quantity of L. maculans detected in them. To obtain representative data for a field, at least 30 subsamples needed to be collected over the 0·81 ha area studied. In a survey of 49 commercial fields in South Australia, most L. maculans was detected in fields 1 year after oilseed rape had been grown, with less detected after 2 years and negligible amounts 3 years or more after cropping. The diagnostic DNA-based assay for L. maculans reduced the time and cost of studying L. maculans survival in soil and increased the sensitivity and accuracy of results compared with estimates of propagule number of colony-forming units on a semiselective medium.     

Analysis of Leptosphaeria maculans Race Structure in a Worldwide Collection of Isolates

ABSTRACT Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of stem canker of oilseed rape, develops gene-for-gene interactions with its hosts. To date, eight L. maculans avirulence (Avr) genes, AvrLm1 to AvrLm8, have been genetically characterized. An additional Avr gene, AvrLm9, that interacts with the resistance gene Rlm9, was genetically characterized here following in vitro crosses of the pathogen. A worldwide collection of 63 isolates, including the International Blackleg of Crucifers Network collection, was genotyped at these nine Avr loci. In a first step, isolates were classified into pathogenicity groups (PGs) using two published differential sets. This analysis revealed geographical disparities as regards the proportion of each PG. Genotyping of isolates at all Avr loci confirmed the disparities between continents, in terms of Avr allele frequencies, particularly for AvrLm2, AvrLm3, AvrLm7, AvrLm8, and AvrLm9, or in terms of race structure, diversity, and complexity. Twenty-six distinct races were identified in the collection. A larger number of races (n = 18) was found in Australia than in Europe (n = 8). Mean number of virulence alleles per isolate was also higher in Australia (5.11 virulence alleles) than in Europe (4.33) and Canada (3.46). Due to the diversity of populations of L. maculans evidenced here at the race level, a new, open terminology is proposed for L. maculans race designation, indicating all Avr loci for which the isolate is avirulent.     

Survival of Leptosphaeria maculans and associated mycobiota on oilseed rape stubble buried in soil

Leptosphaeria maculans , the causal agent of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape, is an important pathogen in oilseed rape growing regions of the world, including Australia. Survival of L. maculans and associated mycobiota on oilseed rape stubble buried for 13 months in field soil and in sandy soil was studied under South Australian environmental conditions. Stubble weight decreased significantly by the end of the burial period, more so in field (53·7%) than in sandy soil (22%). Pseudothecia did not develop on stubble buried in field soil and few formed when buried in sandy soil. Moist incubation of stubble following retrieval from both media generated pseudothecia; however, pseudothecial development ceased on stubble that had been buried for 10 and 12 months in field and sandy soil, respectively. In total, 20 and 36 genera of fungi were isolated from stubble before and after burial, respectively. Alternaria spp., L. maculans and Stemphylium botryosum were isolated from 81·7, 70 and 60% of stubble pieces before burial, respectively. Isolation frequency of these species decreased significantly throughout the burial period in both media. Conversely, isolation frequency of Stachybotrys chartarum , Fusarium spp. and Trichoderma spp., having pre-burial frequencies of 26·7, 16·7 and 2·5%, respectively, increased over the burial period regardless of soil type. These findings suggest that inoculum production of L. maculans decreases with the increasing burial duration in field soil over 10 months, before ceasing, and this may be due to associated mycobiota.     

New Avirulence Genes in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Leptosphaeria maculans

ABSTRACT Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of stem canker of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), develops gene-for-gene interactions with oilseed rape, and four L. maculans avirulence (AVR) genes (AvrLm1, AvrLm2, AvrLm4, and alm1) were previously genetically characterized. Based on the analysis of progeny of numerous in vitro crosses between L. maculans isolates showing either already characterized or new differential interactions, this work aims to provide an overview of the AVR genes that may specify incompatibility toward B. napus and the related species B. juncea and B. rapa. Two novel differential interactions were thus identified between L. maculans and B. napus genotypes, one of them corresponding to a complete resistance to European races of L. maculans. In both cases, a single gene control of avirulence was established (genes AvrLm3 and AvrLm7). Similarly, a single gene control of avirulence toward a B. rapa genotype, also resistant to European L. maculans isolates, was demonstrated (gene AvrLm8). Finally, a digenic control of avirulence toward B. juncea was established (genes AvrLm5 and AvrLm6). Linkage analyses demonstrated that at least four unlinked L. maculans genomic regions, including at least one AVR gene cluster (AvrLm1-AvrLm2-AvrLm6), are involved in host specificity. The AvrLm3-AvrLm4-AvrLm7 region may correspond either to a second AVR gene cluster or to a multiallelic AVR gene.     

Detection of airborne inoculum of Leptosphaeria maculans and Pyrenopeziza brassicae in oilseed rape crops by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays

The potential use of DNA-based methods for detecting airborne inoculum of Leptosphaeria maculans and Pyrenopeziza brassicae , both damaging pathogens of oilseed rape, was investigated. A method for purifying DNA from spores collected using Hirst-type spore samplers and detecting it using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays is described. For both pathogens, the sensitivities of the DNA assays were similar for spore-trap samples and pure spore suspensions. As few as 10 spores of L. maculans or P. brassicae could be detected by PCR and spores of both species could be detected against a background of spores of six other species. The method successfully detected spores of P. brassicae collected using spore traps in oilseed rape crops that were infected with P. brassicae. Leptosphaeria maculans spores were detected using spore traps on open ground close to L. maculans -infected oilseed rape stems. The potential use of PCR detection of airborne inoculum in forecasting the diseases caused by these pathogens is discussed.     

Conidia as a Substrate for Internal Transcribed Spacer-Based PCR Identification of Members of the Leptosphaeria maculans Species Complex

ABSTRACT The blackleg disease of oilseed rape is caused by an ascomycete species complex termed Leptosphaeria maculans (anamorph Phoma lingam). L. maculans isolates collected worldwide were gathered in the International Blackleg of Crucifers Network (IBCN) collection. Representative IBCN isolates, along with one P. nigrificans isolate, were further analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. ITS size polymorphism discriminated three groups: (i) P. nigrificans, (ii) Tox(+) and 'Lepidium' isolates, and (iii) NA1, NA2, NA3, 'Thlaspi', and 'Erysimum' isolates. Digestion of the ITS region with 19 selected endonucleases showed restriction site polymorphism between the different subgroups: digestion with RsaI could discriminate Tox(+) from 'Lepidium' isolates, whereas digestion with four enzymes, i.e., HaeIII, EcoRII, RsaI, and AluI, was needed to discriminate between NA1, NA2, NA3, 'Thlaspi', and 'Erysimum' isolates. No restriction site polymorphism was observed between isolates within the 'Thlaspi', Tox(+), NA1, and NA2 subgroups. Direct amplification of the ITS region could be achieved using intact conidia, collected either in axenic cultures or on leaf lesions, with only a 4-min 95 degrees C denaturation step prior to PCR reaction. A routine identification protocol requiring no DNA extraction and a sequential use of a few restriction enzymes following PCR has been used successfully for large-scale identification of French field isolates.     

Dual control of avirulence in Leptosphaeria maculans towards a Brassica napus cultivar with 'sylvestris-derived' resistance suggests involvement of two resistance genes

Blackleg disease (phoma stem canker) of Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape) is caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans . In some regions of Australia, resistance in oilseed rape cultivars derived from B. rapa subs . sylvestris (e.g. cv. Surpass 400) became ineffective within three years of commercial release. The genetic control of avirulence in L. maculans towards cv. Surpass 400 is described. When Australian field isolates were screened on this cultivar, three phenotypic classes were observed; virulent, intermediate and avirulent. Analysis of crosses between fungal isolates varying in their ability to infect cv. Surpass 400 demonstrated the presence of two unlinked avirulence genes, AvrLm1 and AvrLmS . Complementation of isolates (genotype avrLm1 ) with a functional copy of AvrLm1 , and genotyping of field isolates using a molecular marker for AvrLm1 showed that virulence towards Rlm1 is necessary, but not sufficient, for expression of a virulent phenotype on cv. Surpass 400. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that cv. Surpass 400, with ' sylvestris -derived' resistance, contains at least two resistance genes, one of which is Rlm1 .     

进境油菜籽中黑胫病菌和茎基溃疡病菌的检测

为准确鉴定从进境澳大利亚油菜籽样品中分离的真菌分离物,利用形态学特征、PCR检测、序列分析以及致病性测试等方法对分离物6382-43和6382-51进行了鉴定试验。结果表明,分离物6382-43的形态特征和油菜茎基溃疡病菌Leptosphaeria maculans相似,菌丝生长较慢,菌落边缘不规则,不产生色素。油菜茎基溃疡病菌特异性引物LmacF/LmacR检测为PCR阳性;ITS区序列和油菜茎基溃疡病菌的序列相似性为99.8%;接种幼嫩油菜子叶产生油菜茎基溃疡病的典型症状。分离物6382-51的形态特征和油菜黑胫病菌L.biglobosa相似,菌丝生长较快,菌落边缘规则,产生色素;油菜黑胫病菌特异性引物LbigF/LmacR检测为PCR阳性;ITS区序列和油菜黑胫病菌的序列相似性为100%;接种幼嫩油菜子叶产生油菜黑胫病的典型症状。根据分离物的形态特征、PCR检测结果、序列分析以及致病性测试结果,将进境澳大利亚油菜籽样品中的真菌分离物6382-43和6382-51分别鉴定为油菜茎基溃疡病菌Leptosphaeria maculans和油菜黑胫病菌L.biglobosa。     

Electrophoretic analysis of natural populations of Leptosphaeria maculans directly from leaf lesions

On oilseed rape, 207 leaf lesions attributed to Leptosphaeria maculans were classified as typical or atypical. Starch gel electrophoresis of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) performed on extracts of 229 leaf lesions comprising the 207 with L. maculans symptoms and 22 with Pseudocercosporella capsellae symptoms, yielded four different electrophoretic patterns of alloenzymes designated ET1 to ET4. In addition to ET1 and ET2, characteristic respectively of A- (highly virulent) and B- (weakly virulent) group isolates of L. maculans , the previously undescribed ET3 allozyme was recovered from a few typical and atypical L. maculans leaf lesions. The fastest ET4 allozyme was specific to P. capsellae . All but two typical leaf lesions produced the ET1 allozyme, whereas atypical lesions produced one of the three L. maculans allozymes. Occasionally a mixture of two allozymes was recovered from a same-leaf lesion. GPI electrophoresis performed directly on leaf lesions proved a useful and reliable method to identify L. maculans , and to differentiate between L. maculans and P. capsellae . This method of discrimination enabled deductions, from 377 leaf lesions analysed, about the structure of L. maculans populations on different oilseed rape varieties.     

The occurrence of virulent pathotypes of Leptosphaeria maculans in brassica seed crops in England

Virulent and non-virulent pathotypes of Leptosphaeria maculans were differentiated on the basis of cultural characteristics and virulence to cabbage plants. Surveys of isolates obtained from oilseed rape crops grown in England in 1982 and 1983 showed that virulent pathotypes predominated in some areas whereas in others they were infrequent or absent. Overall 41% of isolates from this crop were of the virulent type. Virulent types usually occurred most frequently in areas with a long history or a high density of oilseed rape. In vegetable and forage brassica seed crops in Essex virulent isolates formed a small proportion of the population, except in one swede crop from which 95% of isolates were virulent. Host specificity was not detected in cross-infection experiments using isolates from different hosts and localities.     

油菜黑胫病菌和茎基溃疡病菌的LAMP检测方法的建立

油菜黑胫病和油菜茎基溃疡病分别由子囊菌Leptosphaeria biglobosa和L.maculans引起.我国油菜产区仅发现L.biglobosa,未发现L.maculans.因而,L.maculans是我国的对外检疫性对象.这两种真菌形态相似,引起的病害症状相似,给田间快速准确鉴定带来难度.本研究基于环介导等温...