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Khuna S, Kumla J, Thitla T, Nuangmek W, Lumyong S, Suwannarach N. Morphology, Molecular Identification, and Pathogenicity of Two Novel Fusarium Species Associated with Postharvest Fruit Rot of Cucurbits in Northern Thailand. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1135. [PMID: 36354902 PMCID: PMC9695044 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fruit rot of cucurbits caused by several pathogenic fungi has become an important postharvest disease worldwide. In 2022, fruit rot on watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) was observed during the postharvest storage phase in the Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok Provinces of northern Thailand. These diseases can lead to significant economic losses. This present study was conducted to isolate the causal agent of fungi in lesions of fruit rot. A total of four fungal isolates were obtained, of which two isolates (SDBR-CMU422 and SDBR-CMU423) were obtained from rot lesions of watermelons, while the remaining isolates (SDBR-CMU424 and SDBR-CMU425) were obtained from rot lesions of muskmelons. All fungal isolates were identified using both morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. Morphologically, all isolated fungal isolates were classified into the genus Fusarium. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combination of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1), calmodulin (cam), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2) genes reveled that four fungal isolates belonged to the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex and were distinct from all other known species. Thus, we have described them as two new species, namely F. citrullicola (SDBR-CMU422 and SDBR-CMU423) and F. melonis (SDBR-CMU424 and SDBR-CMU425). A full description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree indicating the position of both new species have been provided. Moreover, pathogenicity tests were subsequently performed and the results showed that F. citrullicola and F. melonis caused symptoms of fruit rot on inoculated watermelon and muskmelon fruits, respectively. Notably, this outcome was indicative of the symptoms that appeared during the postharvest storage phase. To our knowledge, two new pathogenic fungi, F. citrullicola and F. melonis, are new causal agents of watermelon and muskmelon fruit rot, respectively. Importantly, these findings provide valuable information for the development of effective strategies for the monitoring and prevention of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surapong Khuna
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Tanapol Thitla
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Wipornpan Nuangmek
- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Muang Phayao 56000, Thailand
| | - Saisamorn Lumyong
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Liu Y, Tang J, Zhou Y. Identification and Description of a New Pathogen Causing Flower Dry Rot on Passiflora edulis in China. PLANT DISEASE 2021; 105:1967-1975. [PMID: 33289411 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-10-20-2130-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Passiflora edulis Sims (passion fruit) is an economically important fruit crop. However, a new flower dry rot has occurred in orchards located in Zhanjiang, China, and has led to serious production loss. Its disease incidence is approximately 30 to 40%. A total of 221 isolates of Fusarium sp. were obtained from samples of three types of symptomatic flowers. Three representative single-spore isolates (PaB-1, PaB-2, and PaB-3) from each type were used for pathogenicity tests, multilocus phylogenetic analyses, and morphological descriptions. Pathogenicity tests of buds of 5-month-old P. edulis plants showed symptoms similar to those observed in nature, and Koch's postulates were achieved. By comparing 36 typical species from the FUSARIUM-ID database, multilocus phylogenetic analyses showed that the sequences of TEF1, RPB2, and ITS of these isolates belong to the Incarnatum clade of the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC-17-a) with an independent branch. Therefore, the pathogenic isolates were identified as F. pernambucanum (FIESC-17-a). Moreover, in this study, the conidial anastomosis tubes were first observed in the FIESC. This is the first report of flower dry rot on P. edulis caused by F. pernambucanum. Further studies should be performed to determine effective disease management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelian Liu
- Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
| | - Jianrong Tang
- Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
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