Morphological and molecular characterization of Curvularia and related species associated with leaf spot disease of rice in Peninsular Malaysia

Identification and characterization of multiple fungal pathogens associated with brown spot disease of rice in India

Brown spot (BS) disease causes significant losses to rice productivity. In this study, a roving survey in the Karnataka state of India revealed a wider distribution of BS with a percent disease index range of 20.56-50.74. From the symptomatic geo-distinct samples, pure cultures of 63 isolates were obtained. Based on the conidial morphology, 63 isolates were identified as Bipolaris oryzae (Bo) (n = 40), Curvularia lunata (Cl) (n = 15), and Exserohilum rostratum (Er) (n = 08). The taxonomic identity was further confirmed via ITS-sequencing. A pathogenicity assay on a BS-susceptible rice cultivar GNV-05-01 confirmed the pathogenicity of all three pathogens, which induces typical BS disease on test plants. Further, on PDA media, all isolates of three pathogens showed significant cultural diversity for mycelial color, colony type, and sporulation. We further studied the in-planta distribution of three pathogens on a randomly collected 600 BS spots from 10 different rice fields, which indicated that 77.83%, 17.33%, and 4.83% of the typical BS were produced by Bo, Cl, and Er, respectively. The ITS region was sequenced for selected 9, 7, and 3 isolates of Bo, Cl, and Er, respectively, and analyzed for their nucleotide and haplotype diversity, and phylogenetic relationships. A phylogenetic study identified the unique clustering patterns, and haplotyping indicated 3, 4, and 6 haplotypes. Tajima's D (D) test showed several rare alleles in the ITS regions. This is the first comprehensive study reporting the three fungal pathogens causing BS of rice and it is useful for re-designing the screening protocol for the host plant resistance breeding program.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-04033-3.

Fungi in Rice Field Open Irrigation System: Ecological Implications and Biosecurity

Italy is the leading producer of rice in Europe, but this crop is increasingly threatened by many factors such as pathogens' resistance, pollution and climate change. To date, few works keep in consideration the ecological role that the open irrigation system can play in the dispersion of important opportunistic species, and if it is affected by agricultural management and environmental seasonal changing. This work carried out the mycological characterization of a rice field irrigation system located in Vistarino (Pavia, Lombardy, Italy). Three main sections of an irrigation system (canal, ditch and paddy) were sampled during the summer 2018 (irrigation season of the rice crop). Water samples processing underlined how the irrigation system is rich of fungal diversity (59 species isolated). In order of abundance, the canal samples are characterized by the dominance of Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Trichoderma genera, while the ditch samples by Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium genera, and the paddy samples by Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Trichoderma genera. Results showed that the three environments are mycologically independent of each other: fungi do not exploit the irrigation system for their dispersion in paddy. Probably fungi prefer others dispersion systems such as air dispersion. This means that an open irrigation system is not to be considered as a continue system with free circulation of fungi. Indeed, each sector of the system appears characterized by a typical funga, which undergoes variations during the sampled season due to agricultural management and environmental conditions.

Antagonistic activity of wild growing mushrooms against various fungal rice pathogen

Paddy is an important crop in Malaysia. There are various pathogens able to infect paddy causing a loss in yield's production. In this study, dual culture method, volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, and non-volatile compound analysis were used to assess the ability of mushroom to control fungal rice pathogens including Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris panici-miliacei, and Nigrospora sp. Four mushroom isolates were further analysed for their antagonistic activity against rice pathogen. The highest percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) was recorded between 45.55 and 73.68% observed in isolate 42b. The 4 isolates with the highest PIRG based on the dual culture analysis were then tested for their production of VOCs and non-volatile compound. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region analysis of the 4 mushroom isolates revealed their identity as Coprinellus disseminates (isolate 12b), Marasmiellus palmivorus (isolate 42b), Trametes maxima (isolate 56e), and Lentinus sajor-caju (isolate 60a). This study showed that mushroom isolates have the potential of antagonistic effect on various fungal rice pathogens tested by the production of secondary metabolites and mycoparasitic interaction.

Unraveling the tripartite interaction of volatile compounds of Streptomyces rochei with grain mold pathogens infecting sorghum

Sorghum is a major grain crop used in traditional meals and health drinks, and as an efficient fuel. However, its productivity, value, germination, and usability are affected by grain mold, which is a severe problem in sorghum production systems, which reduces the yield of harvested grains for consumer use. The organic approach to the management of the disease is essential and will increase consumer demand. Bioactive molecules like mVOC (volatile organic compound) identification are used to unravel the molecules responsible for antifungal activity. The Streptomyces rochei strain (ASH) has been reported to be a potential antagonist to many pathogens, with high levels of VOCs. The present study aimed to study the inhibitory effect of S. rochei on sorghum grain mold pathogens using a dual culture technique and via the production of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). mVOCs inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium moniliforme by 63.75 and Curvularia lunata by 68.52%. mVOCs suppressed mycelial growth and inhibited the production of spores by altering the structure of mycelia in tripartite plate assay. About 45 mVOCs were profiled when Streptomyces rochei interacted with these two pathogens. In the present study, several compounds were upregulated or downregulated by S. rochei, including 2-methyl-1-butanol, methanoazulene, and cedrene. S. rochei emitted novel terpenoid compounds with peak areas, such as myrcene (1.14%), cymene (6.41%), and ç-terpinene (7.32%) upon interaction with F. moniliforme and C. lunata. The peak area of some of the compounds, including furan 2-methyl (0.70%), benzene (1.84%), 1-butanol, 2-methyl-(8.25%), and myrcene (1.12)%, was increased during tripartite interaction with F. moniliforme and C. lunata, which resulted in furan 2-methyl (6.60%), benzene (4.43%), butanol, 2-methyl (18.67%), and myrcene (1.14%). These metabolites were implicated in the sesquiterpenoid and alkane biosynthetic pathways and the oxalic acid degradation pathway. The present study shows how S. rochei exhibits hyperparasitism, competition, and antibiosis via mVOCs. In addition to their antimicrobial functions, these metabolites could also enhance plant growth.

Mycobiota profile, phenology, and potential toxicogenic and pathogenic species associated with stored groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) from the Volta Region, Ghana

This study updates the mycobiota resident in groundnut seeds, their phenology during storage with the view to ascertain their occurrence, potential toxigenic species, and pathologically important species in the stored samples. The moisture content of the seeds ranged from 5.7% to 6.5% within the stipulated safe moisture content of 8% for extension of shelf life. Culturing the seeds on mycological media (Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar SDA; Oxytetracycline Glucose Yeast Extract OGYE, Potato Dextrose Agar, PDA) caused a de novo growth of the quiescent spores at 28-30°C for 7-14 days. Fungal population counts on the three media ranged from 2.01 to 2.16 log10 CFU/g samples to a final 6-month count of 1.67-2.60 log10 CFU/g. Eighteen different fungal species belonging to ten genera were encountered on the media, namely Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhizopus, Rhodotorula, Sporendonema, and Paecilomyces. Aspergillus spp. (A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. terreus) were the most frequently isolated, followed by Fusarium species (F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. verticillioides), Trichoderma (T. harzianum and T. viride), Rhizopus spp (R. oligosporus and R. stolonifer), and Penicillium verrucosum. The species which were seed borne (A. niger, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. fumigatus, F. solani, F. verticillioides, T. viride, C. herbarum, and Curvularia lunata) were isolated on both surface sterilized and non-surface sterilized seeds. The phenology of the encountered fungal species generally followed five patterns. The most frequently isolated Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus predominated throughout the 6 months sampling period, while A. ustus and A. terreus appeared sporadically and disappeared. The early colonizers (R. oligosporus, R. stolonifer, and Paecilomyces) could not be isolated after 2-3 months owing presumably to stronger antibiosis competition from the Aspergillus species. The most predominant Aspergillus species initially constituted 36%-48% of the total population but declined to 10%-36% in 6 months. Mycobiota encountered with mycotoxigenic potential and human health importance were A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, F. verticillioides, and Penicillium verrucosum. Other species of pathological importance to plants were Curvularia lunata and Fusarium oxysporum. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

First Report of Brown Leaf Spot of Rice Caused by Curvularia hawaiiensis in the United States

Multiple diseases, including brown spot (Cochliobolus miyabeanus), leaf spot (Epicoccum sorghimum), and blast (Magnaporthe oryzae), can cause spot-like symptoms on the leaves of rice. In July 2021, a disease showing symptoms like brown spot was observed in an 8-hectare field of rice, with disease incidence of >30%, in Beaumont, Texas. Lesions started as small pinhead-size blackish spots on leaf tips or from the edges of leaf blades. The spots enlarged to become irregular (most) or oval brown spots with a slight chlorotic halo. Diseased leaves were collected, washed in running tap water and cut into small pieces. Pieces of the tissue were surface sterilized with 1%NaOCl for 2 min followed by 75% ethanol for 30 s and then washed in sterile distilled water three times with each time lasting for 1 min. The disinfected tissue pieces were air dried, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and incubated at 25℃. Initially fungal colonies were hairy in texture with light dark brown center and whitish edge and dark brown pigmentation at the reverse side. Mature colonies turned to black in the center and dark brown toward the edge, with black at the reverse side after 2 or more weeks of incubation. Conidia were oval to narrowly oblong, rounded at the ends, with 2 to 6 distoseptate, and 15 to 35 × 6 to 10 µm in size. These morphological characteristics were similar to those described for Curvularia hawaiiensis (Aslam et al. 2019; Ellis 1971; Kusai et al. 2015). For molecular identification, DNA was extracted and the two different rRNA regions internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU), and the two genes RNA Polymerase II (RPB1) and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1) of the fungus were amplified using the primers of ITS1/ITS4 (Wang et al. 2014), D1/D2 domain region of LSU (Fell et al. 200), and RPB1 and EF1 (Wang et al. 2014), respectively, and sequenced. The ITS sequence (OK397200) was 98.27% identical to C. hawaiiensis (KP131943); the EF1 sequence (OK492159) was 99.78% identical to C. hawaiiensis (KC503942); the LSU sequence (OK397295) was 98.96% identical to multiple C. hawaiiensis (MN055715, MH160813, MH875853, etc.); the RPB1 sequence (OK492160) was 97.41% identical to C. hawaiiensis (JN992363). To evaluate pathogenicity, three rice plants (cv. Presidio) at the 3-leaf stage were spray inoculated with a conidial suspension of 1 x 106 conidia/ml. Another set of three plants that were sprayed with sterilized distilled water served as the controls. Treated plants were maintained in a greenhouse with temperature ranging from 25 to 30℃. After 2 weeks, typical symptoms, like those observed in the field, developed on the inoculated plants while no symptoms developed on the control plants. The same fungus was consistently re-isolated from the diseased plants. The pathogenicity test was conducted three times with similar results. To our knowledge, this is the first report of brown leaf spot caused by C. hawaiiensis in rice in the United States. Curvularia species are frequently associated with rice grain and cause blackish discoloration symptoms on grain kernels. Recently, however, C. hawaiiensis has also been reported to cause brown leaf spot in Malaysia (Kusai et al. 2015) and Pakistan (Aslam et al. 2019). This research will help identify this disease from other leaf spot-like diseases and develop effective management strategies.

Cytotoxicity and Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activities of Compounds Isolated from the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Curvularia sp

Chemical investigation of the mycelia of the pathogenic fungus Curvularia sp. which was isolated from a leaf of Dactyloctenium aegyptium (crowfoot grass), resulted in the isolation of a new compound, curvulariahawadride (5), along with five known compounds (1-4, and 6). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration of 5 was established from experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Compounds 1, 3, and 5 showed nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 53.7, 32.8, and 12.8 µM, respectively. Compounds 2 and 4 showed significant cytotoxicity against lung cancer A549, colorectal cancer SW480, and leukemic K562 cells with an IC₅₀ ranging value of 11.73 to 17.59 µM.

Diversity of Airborne Fungi at Pepper Plantation Lembah Bidong, Kuala Terengganu

Piper nigrum L. is well-known as the king of spices and widely used in various field such as food and medicines. In Malaysia, 98% of pepper production comes from the state of Sarawak. The National Commodity Policy (2011-2020) targets to increase the pepper plantation area from the current 16,331 ha to 20,110 ha by year 2020. However, pepper diseases remain as a major challenge in the pepper industry. A great number of airborne fungi pathogen may contribute to a significant economic loss in pepper production. Therefore, this study aims to morphologically identify the diversity of fungi obtained from air-borne samples in a pepper planation that are capable of causing pepper plant diseases. This experiment was conducted at a pepper plantation near Lembah Bidong, Kuala Terengganu. An Andersen spore sampler was used to collect the fungi spores. Culture based identification were then made. The study resulted in the identification of four genus of fungi such as Fusarium sp, Fusarium semictectum Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia sp., Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma sp. (Ascomycetes). Further molecular identification will confirm the species of fungal pathogens and more understanding of their population as well as severity.   Keywords: Pepper, Piper nigrum L., air-borne, fungi, Andersen spore sampler

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Seedborne Fungi in Squash (Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata)

Squash is one of the most important crops of tropical and temperate regions, and it can be affected by several fungal pathogens. Most of these pathogens infect the seeds, which become an efficient vehicle to disperse seedborne pathogens over long distances, with consequent severe crop losses. The main objective of this study was the identification of the principal seedborne fungi in seeds extracted from 66 samples of asymptomatic and symptomatic squash fruit (Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata) collected in two countries, Tunisia and Italy. The symptoms of fruit decay were identified and classified according to lesion size. Following the blotter test, 14 fungal species were detected from the seeds. Seedborne fungi were identified in all fruit samples tested, including asymptomatic fruit. The most frequent fungi from Tunisian seeds were Alternaria alternata (25.1%), followed by Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum (24.6%), Fusarium solani (16.6%), Rhizopus stolonifer (13.3%), F. fujikuroi (7.8%), Albifimbria verrucaria (3.3%), and Stemphylium vesicarium (2.3%). For the fruits from Italy, the most frequently identified fungal species in seed samples were Alternaria alternata (40.0%), followed by F. fujikuroi (20.8%), Stemphylium vesicarium (3.0%), and Curvularia spicifera (2.1%). Morphological identification was confirmed by molecular diagnosis using the available species-specific primers. Furthermore, specific primers were designed to identify Albifimbria verrucaria, Paramyrothecium roridum, and Stemphylium vesicarium. Application of seed-health testing methods, including such conventional and molecular diagnostic tools, will help to improve seed quality and crop yields.

New Species of the Genus Curvularia: C. tamilnaduensis and C. coimbatorensis from Fungal Keratitis Cases in South India

Members of the genus Curvularia are melanin-producing dematiaceous fungi of increasing clinical importance as causal agents of both local and invasive infections. This study contributes to the taxonomical and clinical knowledge of this genus by describing two new Curvularia species based on isolates from corneal scrapings of South Indian fungal keratitis patients. The phylogeny of the genus was updated based on three phylogenetic markers: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster as well as fragments of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpdh) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1α) genes. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed from the alignment of the three concatenated loci revealed that the examined isolates are representing two new, yet undescribed, Curvularia species. Examination of colony and microscopic morphology revealed differences between the two species as well as between the new species and their close relatives. The new species were formally described as Curvularia tamilnaduensis N. Kiss & S. Kocsubé sp. nov. and Curvularia coimbatorensis N. Kiss & S. Kocsubé sp. nov. Antifungal susceptibility testing by the broth microdilution method of CLSI (Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute) revealed that the type strain of C. coimbatorensis is less susceptible to a series of antifungals than the C. tamilnaduensis strains.

Incidence of leaf spot disease on cotton caused by Curvularia verruculosa and role of its hydrolytic enzymes in pathogenesis

The finding described in this study is the first report of leaf spot disease of cotton caused by Curvularia verruculosa surveyed in the state of Maharashtra (India). The isolated phytopathogenic fungal strain was identified using morphological characteristics and molecular identification of ITS gene sequence (MF784436) and D1D2 region of LSU gene (KY978073). The ability of fungal strain to secrete hydrolytic enzymes viz., pectinase, xylanase, protease, cellulase and lipase was detected. The secretion profile of hydrolytic enzymes by C. verruculosa was also examined in planta and in vitro. The secretion of cellulase, xylanase and protease was found to be inducible on cotton-stalk powder containing media; while secretion of pectinase and lipase was constitutive in glucose containing medium. The hydrolytic enzymes secretion during etiological progression of disease was detected on cotton leaves at regular interval of 24 h up to 10 days. A significant correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between hydrolytic enzymes secretion and disease severity index. The increased level of hydrolytic enzymes in infected plant sample indicates their role in disease progression. The newly documented fungal phytopathogen Curvularia verruculosa was deposited at National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Pune with accession number of NFCCI-4119.