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McLaughlin MS, Roy M, Abbasi PA, Carisse O, Yurgel SN, Ali S. Why Do We Need Alternative Methods for Fungal Disease Management in Plants? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3822. [PMID: 38005718 PMCID: PMC10675458 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to food production worldwide. Traditionally, chemical fungicides have been the primary means of controlling these pathogens, but many of these fungicides have recently come under increased scrutiny due to their negative effects on the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Furthermore, the use of chemical fungicides can result in the development of resistance in populations of phytopathogenic fungi. Therefore, new environmentally friendly alternatives that provide adequate levels of disease control are needed to replace chemical fungicides-if not completely, then at least partially. A number of alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides have been developed, including plant defence elicitors (PDEs); biological control agents (fungi, bacteria, and mycoviruses), either alone or as consortia; biochemical fungicides; natural products; RNA interference (RNAi) methods; and resistance breeding. This article reviews the conventional and alternative methods available to manage fungal pathogens, discusses their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies potential areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. McLaughlin
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
- Department of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 4H5, Canada
| | - Maria Roy
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Pervaiz A. Abbasi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Odile Carisse
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research Development Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 7B5, Canada;
| | - Svetlana N. Yurgel
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research Unit, Prosser, WA 99350, USA;
| | - Shawkat Ali
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
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Luo K, Guo J, He D, Li G, Ouellet T. Deoxynivalenol accumulation and detoxification in cereals and its potential role in wheat- Fusarium graminearum interactions. ABIOTECH 2023; 4:155-171. [PMID: 37581023 PMCID: PMC10423186 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-023-00096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prominent mycotoxin showing significant accumulation in cereal plants during infection by the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum. It is a virulence factor that is important in the spread of F. graminearum within cereal heads, and it causes serious yield losses and significant contamination of cereal grains. In recent decades, genetic and genomic studies have facilitated the characterization of the molecular pathways of DON biosynthesis in F. graminearum and the environmental factors that influence DON accumulation. In addition, diverse scab resistance traits related to the repression of DON accumulation in plants have been identified, and experimental studies of wheat-pathogen interactions have contributed to understanding detoxification mechanisms in host plants. The present review illustrates and summarizes the molecular networks of DON mycotoxin production in F. graminearum and the methods of DON detoxification in plants based on the current literature, which provides molecular targets for crop improvement programs. This review also comprehensively discusses recent advances and challenges related to genetic engineering-mediated cultivar improvements to strengthen scab resistance. Furthermore, ongoing advancements in genetic engineering will enable the application of these molecular targets to develop more scab-resistant wheat cultivars with DON detoxification traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Luo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Jiao Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Dejia He
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Guangwei Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Thérèse Ouellet
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6 Canada
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Song P, Dong W. Identification and Characterization of an Antifungal Gene Mt1 from Bacillus subtilis by Affecting Amino Acid Metabolism in Fusarium graminearum. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108857. [PMID: 37240206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusarium head blight is a devastating disease that causes significant economic losses worldwide. Fusarium graminearum is a crucial pathogen that requires close attention when controlling wheat diseases. Here, we aimed to identify genes and proteins that could confer resistance to F. graminearum. By extensively screening recombinants, we identified an antifungal gene, Mt1 (240 bp), from Bacillus subtilis 330-2. We recombinantly expressed Mt1 in F. graminearum and observed a substantial reduction in the production of aerial mycelium, mycelial growth rate, biomass, and pathogenicity. However, recombinant mycelium and spore morphology remained unchanged. Transcriptome analysis of the recombinants revealed significant down-regulation of genes related to amino acid metabolism and degradation pathways. This finding indicated that Mt1 inhibited amino acid metabolism, leading to limited mycelial growth and, thus, reduced pathogenicity. Based on the results of recombinant phenotypes and transcriptome analysis, we hypothesize that the effect of Mt1 on F. graminearum could be related to the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), the most affected metabolic pathway with significant down-regulation of several genes. Our findings provide new insights into antifungal gene research and offer promising targets for developing novel strategies to control Fusarium head blight in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Song
- Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wubei Dong
- Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Ray P, Sahu D, Aminedi R, Chandran D. Concepts and considerations for enhancing RNAi efficiency in phytopathogenic fungi for RNAi-based crop protection using nanocarrier-mediated dsRNA delivery systems. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:977502. [PMID: 37746174 PMCID: PMC10512274 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.977502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Existing, emerging, and reemerging strains of phytopathogenic fungi pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity globally. This risk is further exacerbated by the lack of resistance source(s) in plants or a breakdown of resistance by pathogens through co-evolution. In recent years, attenuation of essential pathogen gene(s) via double-stranded (ds) RNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) in host plants, a phenomenon known as host-induced gene silencing, has gained significant attention as a way to combat pathogen attack. Yet, due to biosafety concerns regarding transgenics, country-specific GMO legislation has limited the practical application of desirable attributes in plants. The topical application of dsRNA/siRNA targeting essential fungal gene(s) through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) on host plants has opened up a transgene-free avenue for crop protection. However, several factors influence the outcome of RNAi, including but not limited to RNAi mechanism in plant/fungi, dsRNA/siRNA uptake efficiency, dsRNA/siRNA design parameters, dsRNA stability and delivery strategy, off-target effects, etc. This review emphasizes the significance of these factors and suggests appropriate measures to consider while designing in silico and in vitro experiments for successful RNAi in open-field conditions. We also highlight prospective nanoparticles as smart delivery vehicles for deploying RNAi molecules in plant systems for long-term crop protection and ecosystem compatibility. Lastly, we provide specific directions for future investigations that focus on blending nanotechnology and RNAi-based fungal control for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Ray
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Debashish Sahu
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Raghavendra Aminedi
- Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India
| | - Divya Chandran
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
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Shang G, Li S, Yu H, Yang J, Li S, Yu Y, Wang J, Wang Y, Zeng Z, Zhang J, Hu Z. An Efficient Strategy Combining Immunoassays and Molecular Identification for the Investigation of Fusarium Infections in Ear Rot of Maize in Guizhou Province, China. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:849698. [PMID: 35369506 PMCID: PMC8964309 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.849698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium is one of the most important phytopathogenic and mycotoxigenic fungi that caused huge losses worldwide due to the decline of crop yield and quality. To systematically investigate the infections of Fusarium species in ear rot of maize in the Guizhou Province of China and analyze its population structure, 175 samples of rotted maize ears from 76 counties were tested by combining immunoassays and molecular identification. Immunoassay based on single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion protein was first employed to analyze these samples. Fusarium pathogens were isolated and purified from Fusarium-infected samples. Molecular identification was performed using the partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) sequences. Specific primers were used to detect toxigenic chemotypes, and verification was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). One-hundred and sixty three samples were characterized to be positive, and the infection rate was 93.14%. Sixteen species of Fusarium belonging to six species complexes were detected and Fusarium meridionale belonging to the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) was the dominant species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification illustrated that 69 isolates (56.10%) were potential mycotoxin-producing Fusarium pathogens. The key synthetic genes of NIV, NIV + ZEN, DON + ZEN, and FBs were detected in 3, 35, 7, and 24 isolates, respectively. A total of 86.11% of F. meridionale isolates carried both NIV- and ZEN-specific segments, while Fusarium verticillioides isolates mainly represented FBs chemotype. All the isolates carrying DON-producing fragments were FGSC. These results showed that there are different degrees of Fusarium infections in Guizhou Province and their species and toxigenic genotypes display regional distribution patterns. Therefore, scFv-AP fusion-based immunoassays could be conducted to efficiently investigate Fusarium infections and more attention and measures should be taken for mycotoxin contamination in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shuqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shimei Li
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yanqin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianman Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhu Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jingbo Zhang
- Wheat Anti-toxin Breeding Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zuquan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Cellular Immunotherapy Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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