Qualitative and quantitative variation in pathogenicity of races of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) detected in the State of São Paulo,Brazil

Between 1977 and 1981, seven qualitatively distinct new races of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) were detected in breeding plots in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Four races carry complex virulence against the resistance genes S_H1, S_H2, S_H4 and S_H5 ofCoffea arabica. Three races match unidentified resistance genes ofC. canephora. Two of these were isolated from cv. Kouillou and one from the hybrid population Icatu. Pending further identification, these races were indicated by the number of their type cultures (Is. 2, 10 and 11). Is. 2 and Is. 10 showed extra virulence to some coffee genotypes and decreased virulence to other coffee genotypes, suggesting stabilizing selection. Three rust isolates were detected which differed quantitatively from the common rust race II. Is. 1 was moderately virulent to the coffee differential for S_H3 in the laboratory but avirulent in the greenhouse, indicating a host x pathogen x environment interaction. Is. 3 and 12 showed levels of virulence intermediate between race II and Is. 2 and 10, respectively. The results show that incomplete resistance of coffee toH. vastatrix, at various levels, can be race-specific. The nature of race formation of coffee leaf rust in Brazil and breeding strategies for obtaining durable resistance are discussed.     

Genetic diversity and structure of Hemileia vastatrix populations on Coffea spp.

Coffee leaf rust is the most limiting disease for coffee cultivation in Brazil. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the genetic diversity of Hemileia vastatrix, the rust causal agent. In this work, the DNA from 112 monopustule isolates from different geographic locations and coffee genotypes were analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). The objectives were to assess the influence of the host and geographic origin on the diversity and population differentiation in H. vastatrix. The fungal population showed a low level of genotypic diversity. Gene diversity (h) was 0·027 and the hypothesis of random mating in the total population was rejected, but evidence for recombination was found for two subpopulations (São Paulo and Paraná). The analysis of molecular variance revealed that 90% of the genetic distribution of the pathogen occurs among isolates within the subpopulation (states or host of origin). There was no correlation between geographic and genetic distance (r = ?0·024, P = 0·74), which together with the high number of migrants and the low degree of differentiation in populations of H. vastatrix, is consistent with the fact that the inoculum is probably easily dispersed by wind over long distances, allowing dispersal of the pathogen among coffee growing areas in Brazil. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the durability of resistant sources to coffee rust. The recommendation for the breeding programmes is thus to incorporate multigenic resistance as a control strategy.     

Effects of Meteorological Factors on the Development of Coffee Leaf Rust1

The development of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) was studied at Pindorama, SaTo Paulo State, Brazil, on a non-sprayed coffee plantation (cv. Mundo Novo). The disease intensity, evaluated by the proportion of rusted leaves, was lower during January and increased to reach its highest values in June-July. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the meteorological factors influencing coffee rust Rain and temperature explained most of the variation in the coffee leaf rust development.     

Differential expression of molecular rust resistance components have distinctive profiles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> - <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemileia vastatrix</Emphasis> interactions

Countering the economic hurdle caused by coffee leaf rust disease is most appealing at this time as it has posed a major threat to coffee production around the world. Establishing differential expression profiles at different times following pathogen invasion in both innate and acquired immunities unlocks the molecular components of resistance and susceptibility. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes differentially over-expressed and repressed during incompatible and compatible interactions between Coffea arabica and Hemileia vastatrix. From 433 clones of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) sequenced, 352 were annotated and categorized of which the proportion of genes expressed during compatible interaction were relatively smaller. The result showed upregulation and downregulation of various genes at 12 and 24 h after pathogen inoculation in both interactions. The use of four different databases in searching for gene homology resulted in different number of similar sequences. BLASTx against EMBL-EBI (European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute) database being with the maximum (100%) hits for all the annotated sequences. RT-qPCR analysis of seven resistance-signaling genes showed similar expression patterns for most of the genes in both interactions, indicating these genes are involved in basal (non-specific) defense during which immune reactions are similar. Using SSH, we identified different types of resistance related genes that could be used for further studies towards resistant cultivar development. The potential role of some of the resistance related proteins found were also discussed.     

Isolation and selection of Hemileia Vastatrix antagonists

Organic coffee growing is rapidly increasing in Brazil, and many diseases, especially coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), are threatening its production. This study is a first step towards a biocontrol program for coffee rust on organically grown plants. In three organic coffee farms in the state of Minas Gerais, 393 microbial strains including 154 bacterial and 239 fungal strains were isolated from leaves, leaf debris, and soil samples, and in 6 month-old coffee plants, 17 of these isolates reduced both the infection frequency (IF) and the number of H. vastatrix urediniospores produced per leaf (UPL) by more than 70 %. The isolates were identified as eight bacteria isolates, seven Bacillus spp. and one Pseudomonas sp., and nine fungal isolates, four Fusarium spp., two Penicillium spp., one Aspergillus sp., one Acremonium sp. and one Cladosporium sp. Each fungal and bacterial isolate was applied 0, 4, 8, 12 or 16 days before and 0, 4, 8, 12 or 16 days after H. vastatrix inoculation, and the efficiency in reducing both IF and UPL was evaluated. The efficiency was higher and lasted longer when the bacterial isolates were applied before H. vastatrix inoculation. Six Bacillus (B10, B25, B143, B157, B171, B175), two Fusarium (F205, F281), and one Pseudomonas (B286) isolates are potentially efficient as biocontrol agents of H. vastatrix and will be tested using field experiments.     

Hypersensitive cell death and post-haustorial defence responses arrest the orange rust (Hemileia vastatrix) growth in resistant coffee leaves

The growth of a coffee orange rust fungus (Hemileia vastatrix Berk and Br.) isolate (race II) and the sequence of responses it induced in leaves of resistant Coffea arabica L. and C. congensis Froehner as well as on a susceptible C. arabica were investigated cytologically and biochemically. The percentages of germinated urediospores and of appressoria formed over stomata as well as the fungal growth inside leaf tissues were similar in resistant and susceptible leaves until the 3rd day after the inoculation. In the susceptible leaves, at the majority of the infection sites (70%) the fungus pursued its growth without apparent inhibition while in the resistant leaves the fungus ceased its growth with higher frequency (34% in C. arabica and 54% in C. congensis) after the formation of at least one haustorium. The first signs of incompatibility, detected 2 days after the inoculation, were cytologically expressed by hypersensitive host cell death (HR), host cell wall autofluorescence and haustoria encasement with callose and β-1,4-glucans. Biochemically, two peaks of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity were detected by 2 and 5 days after the inoculation. The 1st peak coincided with the early accumulation of phenolic compounds and with the beginning of cell death. The 2nd peak could be related to later accumulation of phenols and the lignification of the host cell walls. About 5–7 days after the inoculation, ultrastructural observations revealed the accumulation of a material partially crystallized in the intercellular spaces around the senescent hyphae, next to dead host cells and in close association with the middle lamella that initially labelled for pectins. It also contained polysaccharides and phenolic-like compounds. Cellulose, hemicellulose, extensins, hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins and proteins were not detected. The hypertrophy of the host cells in the infection area were also observed around 12 days after the inoculation corresponding macroscopically to the reaction flt.In susceptible plants, cell death was also observed 3 days after the inoculation but only in a reduced percentage of infection sites in which the fungus aborted at an early stage. A late haustorium encasement and stimulation of PAL activity were also observed but these delayed host responses did not prevent fungal growth and sporulation.The intercellular material, only observed in the resistant plants, is here reported for the first time and although its role is unknown it might be the result of plant cell death.     

Coffee rust genome measured using flow cytometry: does size matter?

The genome size of most rust species is unknown due, in part, to technical constraints, especially the difficulty in accessing spores to extract the nuclei for cytometry. Using the urediniospores of coffee rust, Hemileia vastatrix, an improved methodology involving flow cytometry was developed for accurate measurement of the nuclear genome size. The results revealed that the genome of this primitive rust fungus is unusually large – measuring 1C‐value = 0·75 pg (733·5 Mb) – significantly bigger than other species quantified thus far in the more advanced rust lineages. The evolutionary consequences and the potential ecological constraints of this large genome size are discussed in relation to the epidemiology of coffee rust.     

The dynamics of the coffee rust disease: an epidemiological approach using network theory

Dynamic modeling of plant pathogens has usually been accomplished with either a mean field or spatially explicit approach, searching generally for either broad generalization or precise prediction. In search of a qualitative intermediate that is able to query spatial particulars of transmission, we take an approximate approach using network theory. Some elements of network theory are applied to a specific case of the early spread of the coffee rust disease (agent = Hemileia vastatrix) on a single large shaded coffee farm in Chiapas, Mexico. We find that infection rates within connected components are more homogeneous than infection rates among components, suggesting that the initial stages of this disease show pattern that can be detected using simple ideas from network theory.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> expresses a hypersensitive-like response in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis>

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are obligate parasite species of the genus Meloidogyne that cause great losses in Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations. Identification of resistant genotypes would facilitate the improvement of coffee varieties aiming at an environmental friendly and costless nematode control. In this work, the C. arabica genotype ‘UFV 408-28’ was found to be resistant to the most destructive RKN species M. incognita. Pathogenicity assays indicated that the highly aggressive populations of M. incognita races 1, 2 and 3 were not able to successfully reproduce on ‘UFV 408-28’ roots and displayed a low gall index (GI = 2). An average reduction of 87% reduction of the M. incognita population was observed on ‘UFV 408-28’ when compared to the susceptible cultivar ‘IAC 15’. By contrast, ‘UFV 408-28’ was susceptible to the related species M. exigua and M. paranaensis (GI = 5 and 4, respectively). Histological observations performed on sections of UFV408-28 roots infected with M. incognita race 1 showed that nematode infection could be blocked right after penetration or during migration and establishment stages, at 6 days, 7 days and 8 days after infection (DAI). Fluorescence and bright field microscopy observations showed that root cells surrounding the nematodes exhibited HR-like features such as accumulation of phenolic compounds and a necrotic cell aspect. In the susceptible ‘IAC 15’ roots, 6 DAI, feeding sites contained giant cells with a dense cytoplasm. Necrotic cells were never observed throughout the entire infection cycle. The HR-like phenotype observed in the ‘UFV 408-28’—M. incognita interaction suggests that the coffee resistance may be mediated by a R-gene based immunity system and may therefore provide new insights for understanding the molecular basis of RKN resistance in perennial crops.     

Three-way fungal interactions affect the potential biological control of Himalayan balsam,Impatiens glandulifera

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe. The rust fungus, Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae has been introduced as a biological control agent, but success has been patchy. Here, we investigated whether mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi can affect rust efficacy and plant growth. Over three experiments, we found that AM fungi and the rust alone or together consistently reduced plant growth, but this depended on the identity of species in the AM inoculum. Meanwhile, AM fungi increased infection frequency of the endophyte Colletotrichum acutatum. Rust inoculation had no detrimental effects on mycorrhizal colonisation or C. acutatum infection, but the latter two fungi reduced rust sporulation. However, plant size was reduced when all three fungal types were present, suggesting that a combined fungal inoculum offers a promising approach for the control of this weed.     

Two class III chitin synthases specifically localized in appressoria and haustoria of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici

Rust fungi like Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici are known to change their cell wall properties upon entering the plant tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed the cellular localization of two class III chitin synthase isoforms in rust mycelia developing on and in the host plant. Isoform IIIa is restricted to fungal infection structures growing on the surface of the plant, such as germ tubes and, predominantly, appressoria. Isoform IIIb is found exclusively in haustoria developed inside the plant. Thus, the rust fungus uses at least two chitin synthase isoforms with specialized functions in the differentiation of infection structures during the biotrophic plant-pathogen-interaction.     

Differential response of phytohormone signalling network determines nonhost resistance in rice during wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) colonization

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat. Breakdown of host resistance under field conditions triggered by the evolution of new pathogenic races and pathotypes is a perennial threat for wheat cultivation. Rice, often grown in a rice–wheat cropping system, is immune to rust infection. Our microscopic studies revealed that P. graminis f. sp. tritici, although displaying nearly identical uredospore germination, stomatal entry, and epi- and endophytic mycelial growth in rice and wheat, failed to sporulate to cause rust disease in rice. We identified 18 key defence signalling genes in rice and unravelled their elicitation dynamics in time-course studies during infection. ICS1, NPR1-3, PRs, EDS1, PAD4, FMO1 (salicylic acid [SA] signalling), and ethylene-related genes (ACO4 and ACS6) were strongly elicited in rice. However, genes from the jasmonic acid (JA) signalling pathway (LOX2, AOS2, MYC2, PDF2.2, JAZ8, JAZ10) showed a delayed response during colonization in rice compared to an early or no induction in wheat. However, the JA/ethylene marker gene PDF2.2 was strongly induced in wheat as early as 12 hr postinoculation. Furthermore, rice and wheat displayed specific profiles of accumulation of various phenolic acids during P. graminis f. sp. tritici 40A infection. We propose a model where a differential modulation of the SA/JA-dependent defence network may modulate nonhost resistance. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism governing differential elicitation of defence signalling may provide a novel resistance mechanism for the sustainable management of rust diseases.     

The use of leaf disk inoculations in assessing resistance to coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix)

The suitability of inoculations of leaf disks of 1.8 cm diameter in determining resistance of coffee toHemileia vastatrix, the causal agent of coffee leaf rust, was studied. Results obtained by this method were similar to those obtained by greenhouse tests with respect to reaction types of coffee plants with complete and/or major gene resistance. The efficacy of the method in assessing incomplete resistance was tested on 19 plants ofCoffea canephora cv. Kouillou, which varied in level of disease in the field. Four series of inoculation were carried out in four different months of the year, and six components of resistance were assessed. The analysis of multiple correlation, applied to the average data of the four series, indicated that 79% of the variation in disease in the field could be explained by the observations in the leaf disk test. For the individual series this percentage varied from 58 to 70. The coefficients of correlation between the six components were significant and high. The percentage of leaf disks with sporulating lesions was found to be the most suitable component for assessing incomplete resistance.The number of lesions per leaf disk was affected substantially by the hour of the day of leaf collection and by light intensity in the field. No effect was observed of the size of the disks (1 to 2 cm in diameter) and of the leaf wetness period after inoculation (24 and 48h). Results were more consistent when the inoculum was applied in droplets of 0.025 ml than when the inoculum was sprayed onto the disks. No genotype x treatment interactions were observed for the hour of leaf collection, for the size of the leaf disk, for the inoculation method or for the leaf wetness period.It is concluded that the leaf disk method, if adequately standardized, can be a very useful tool in breeding for coffee leaf rust resistance and also in basic research on the coffee —H. vastatrix relationship.Samenvatting De geschiktheid van inoculaties van bladschijven van 1.8 cm diameter voor de bepaling van resistantie van koffie tegenHemileia vastatrix, de veroorzaker van koffieroest, werd nagegaan. Voor het bepalen van het reactietype van koffieplanten, met complete en/of monogene resistentie, bleek de bladschijfmethode resultaten op te leveren die vergelijkbaar waren met die van kasproeven. De geschiktheid van de methode voor het bepalen van onvolledige resistentie werd beproefd bij 19 planten, behorende tot het ras Kouillou vanCoffea canephora, die varieerden in veldaantasting. Vier inoculatie series werden uitgevoerd in vier verschillende maanden van het jaar, waarbij zes resistentie-componenten werden bepaald. Multipele correlatie voor de gemiddelden van de vier series toonde aan dat 79% van de variatie in veldaantasting te verklaren was door de waargenomen componenten in de bladschijftoets. Voor de individuele series varieerde dit percentage tussen de 58 en 70. De zes componenten vertoonden onderling een sterke mate van correlatie. Het percentage bladschijven met sporulatie bleek de meest geschikte component te zijn voor het schatten van onvolledige resistentie.Het aantal lesies per bladschijf werd duidelijk beïnvloed door het uur van de dag waarop de bladeren werden geplukt en de hoeveelheid licht waaraan de bladeren waren blootgesteld in het veld. De grootte van de bladschijven (1 à 2 cm in diameter) en de bladnatperiode na inoculatie (24 en 48 uur) bleken hierop geen effect te hebben. De inoculatiemethode, waarbij druppels van 0,025 ml werden gebruikt, bleek meer consistente resultaten te geven dan de methode waarbij het inoculum op de bladschijven werd gespoten. Er werd geen genotype x behandeling interactie waargenomen voor het uur van de dag waarop de bladeren werden geplukt, de grootte van de bladschijven, in inoculatiemethode en de duur van de bladnatperiode.Geconcludeerd wordt dat de bladschijfmethode, mits toegepast in gestandaardiseerde vorm, een zeer bruikbaar hulpmiddel kan zijn bij de veredeling van koffie op roestresistantie en bij het onderzoek naar de relatie tussen koffie enH. vastatrix.     

Mycoherbicides and other biocontrol agents for Senecio spp

Classical biocontrol of Senecio jacobaea (ragwort) has generally utilised herbivorous insects, although the nisi Puccinia expansa has also been considered. Although this rust is specific and damaging in the glasshouse. It has not been used in the field. Research into the ecophysiology of Senecio vulgaris (groundsel) infected by the rust Puccinia lagenophorae has revealed the extent to which the effects of infection are dependent on environmental factors. The damage caused by rust is enhanced under mild drought conditions, during periods of frost in winter and by competition between groundsel and neighbouring plants, bui is reduced by nutrient deficiency. Rust injury is also greatly increased by secondary infection of pustules by necrotrophic fungi. Such secondary infection can be achieved artificially with a range of opportunistic necrolrophs and can selectively kill groundsel: the effective inoculum dose of both fungi is significantly reduced. Attempts to apply our understanding of rust-necrotroph injury to ragwort have been partially successful but we have not succeeded in causing significant mortality of this host. This paper discusses these, and other weed—pathogen—environment interactions, and their possible application to biocontrol.     

Biocontrol traits of plant growth suppressive arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against root rot in tomato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium aphanidermatum</Emphasis>

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi known to cause plant growth depressions in tomato were examined for their biocontrol effects against root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum. The main hypothesis was that plant growth suppressive AM fungi would elicit a defence response in the host plant reducing Pythium root rot development. To test this hypothesis a fully factorial experiment was performed with AM fungi (Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. claroideum or nonmycorrhizal), Pythium (± P. aphanidermatum) and harvest (7 and 14 days after pathogen inoculation (dapi)) as the main factors. Two weeks after AM fungi inoculation, roots were challenged with P. aphanidermatum. Variables evaluated at each harvest were root colonization levels of the interacting fungi, plant growth responses, and expression of a plant pathogenesis related protein gene (PR-1). All of the tested AM fungi caused marked growth suppressions, but did not affect PR-1 gene expression or the phosphorous concentration in the host plant. Plants singly inoculated with P. aphanidermatum had an increased PR-1 expression and phosphorous concentration. Among the AM fungi included in the study only G. intraradices reduced the pathogen root infection level, measured both in terms of Pythium ELISA and by recovery on selective media and only at the first harvest. Likewise, P. aphanidermatum root infection reduced colonization levels of G. intraradices, but not that of the two other AM fungi. In conclusion, plant growth suppressive AM fungi may offer plant beneficial traits in terms of biocontrol of root cortical pathogens.     

83份西农系小麦品种（系）抗性鉴定及抗病基因分子检测

为西北农林科技大学小麦新育成品种（系）在黄淮麦区的大面积推广,该研究对83份西农新育成的小麦品种（系）进行苗期抗条锈病和白粉病鉴定,成株期抗条锈病、白粉病、叶锈病和赤霉病鉴定,并在田间自然环境下对其抗性进行鉴定及对相关抗病基因进行分子检测。结果显示,在苗期人工接种鉴定中,有63、29和16份小麦品种（系）分别对条锈菌Puccinia striiformis f.sp.tritici生理小种CYR32、CYR33和CYR34表现出抗性,9份小麦品种（系）对3个条锈菌生理小种均表现出抗性;有10、3和0份小麦品种（系）分别对白粉菌Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici生理小种E15、E09和A13表现出抗性。在成株期人工接种鉴定中,有23、15、28和62份小麦品种（系）分别对条锈病、白粉病、叶锈病和赤霉病表现出抗性。在83份小麦品种（系）中有6份在苗期和成株期均对小麦条锈病表现出抗性。在田间抗性鉴定中,有57、6、65和40份小麦品种（系）分别对条锈病、白粉病、赤霉病及叶锈病表现出抗性。在83份小麦品种（系）中,3份含有Yr5基因,22份含有Yr9基因,3份含有Yr17基因,2份含有Pm24基因,14份含有Lr1基因,所占比例分别为3.6%、26.5%、3.6%、2.4%和16.8%。     

Development of the infection strategy of the hemibiotrophic plant pathogen,Colletotrichum orbiculare,and plant immunity

The hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare forms appressoria as infection structures and primarily establishes biotrophic infection in cucumber epidermal cells. Subsequently, it develops necrotrophic infection. In the pre-invasion stage, morphogenesis of appressoria of C. orbiculare is triggered by signals from the plant surface. We found that C. orbiculare PAG1 (Perish-in-the-Absence-of-GYP1), a component of MOR [morphogenesis-related NDR (nuclear Dbf2-related) kinase network] plays an essential role as a key component of the plant-specific signaling pathway and that hydrolysis of cutin by a spore surface esterase creates a cutin monomer that constitutes a key plant-derived signal. Development of the infection structure of C. orbiculare is strictly regulated by the cell cycle and we found that proper regulation of G1/S progression via two-component GAP genes, consisting of BUB2 (Budding-Uninhibited-by-Benomyl-2) and BFA1 (Byr-Four-Alike-1) is essential for the establishment of successful infection. In the post-invasion stage, the establishment of the biotrophic phase of hemibiotrophic fungi is crucial for successful infection. We found that C. orbiculare WHI2 (WHIsky-2), an Saccharomyces cerevisiae stress regulator homolog, is involved in the phase transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy through TOR (Target of Rapamycin) signaling, and is thus essential for full pathogenesis.