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Lukina E, Gomzhina M, Dalinova A, Dubovik V, Gordina E, Bozhkova S, Smirnov S, Berestetskiy A. Reappraisal of Didymella macrostoma causing white tip disease of Canada thistle as a new species, Didymella baileyae, sp. nov., and bioactivity of its major metabolites. Mycologia 2024:1-26. [PMID: 39178348 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2024.2367470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Bioherbicides are expected to be a supplement to integrated pest management, assisting in the control of problematic weed species. For instance, bioherbicides (Phoma and BioPhoma) were recently registered in Canada and the USA for the control of some perennial dicotyledonous weeds in lawns. These products are based on strains of the fungus Didymella macrostoma (syn. Phoma macrostoma) that causes white tip disease (WTD) in Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). In this study, WTD was reported for the first time in the Russian Federation. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuc rDNA and secondary metabolite profiling confirmed the identity of Russian WTD isolates to Canadian biocontrol strains identified as D. macrostoma. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis based on sequencing of the ITS region, partial large subunit nuc rDNA region (28S), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2), and partial β-tubulin gene (tub2) has differentiated the WTD isolates from C. arvense and D. macrostoma isolates from other plant hosts. Based on phylogenetic, morphological, and chemotaxonomic features, these WTD isolates were described as a new species named Didymella baileyae, sp. nov. This study also demonstrated the low pathogenicity of the ex-type D. baileyae isolate VIZR 1.53 to C. arvense seedlings and its asymptomatic development in the leaves of aboveground shoots. The organic extracts from mycelium and culture filtrate of D. baileyae, as well as macrocidin A and macrocidin Z, displayed phytotoxicity both to C. arvense leaves and seedlings. Macrocidin A was only detected in the naturally infected leaf tissues of C. arvense showing WTD symptoms. Macrocidins A and Z demonstrated low antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, exhibiting no entomotoxic properties. The data obtained within this study on the pathogenicity and metabolites of D. baileyae may be important for the rational evaluation of its prospects as a biocontrol agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Lukina
- Laboratory of Phytotoxicology and Biotechnology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg 196608, Russia
| | - Maria Gomzhina
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg 196608, Russia
| | - Anna Dalinova
- Laboratory of Phytotoxicology and Biotechnology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg 196608, Russia
| | - Vsevolod Dubovik
- Laboratory of Phytotoxicology and Biotechnology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg 196608, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Gordina
- Department of Wound Infection Prevention and Treatment, Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Saint Petersburg 195427, Russia
| | - Svetlana Bozhkova
- Department of Wound Infection Prevention and Treatment, Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Saint Petersburg 195427, Russia
| | - Sergey Smirnov
- Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 198504, Russia
| | - Alexander Berestetskiy
- Laboratory of Phytotoxicology and Biotechnology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg 196608, Russia
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Zhang W, Gundel PE, Jáuregui R, Card SD, Mace WJ, Johnson RD, Bastías DA. The growth promotion in endophyte symbiotic plants does not penalise the resistance to herbivores and bacterial microbiota. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:2865-2878. [PMID: 38616528 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
A trade-off between growth and defence against biotic stresses is common in plants. Fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë may relieve this trade-off in their host grasses since they can simultaneously induce plant growth and produce antiherbivore alkaloids that circumvent the need for host defence. The Epichloë ability to decouple the growth-defence trade-off was evaluated by subjecting ryegrass with and without Epichloë endophytes to an exogenous treatment with gibberellin (GA) followed by a challenge with Rhopalosiphum padi aphids. In agreement with the endophyte-mediated trade-off decoupling hypothesis, the GA-derived promotion of plant growth increased the susceptibility to aphids in endophyte-free plants but did not affect the insect resistance in endophyte-symbiotic plants. In line with the unaltered insect resistance, the GA treatment did not reduce the concentration of Epichloë-derived alkaloids. The Epichloë mycelial biomass was transiently increased by the GA treatment but at the expense of hyphal integrity. The response of the phyllosphere bacterial microbiota to both GA treatment and Epichloë was also evaluated. Only Epichloë, and not the GA treatment, altered the composition of the phyllosphere microbiota and the abundance of certain bacterial taxa. Our findings clearly demonstrate that Epichloë does indeed relieve the plant growth-defence trade-off.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Pedro E Gundel
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Ruy Jáuregui
- Animal Health Laboratory, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Stuart D Card
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wade J Mace
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Richard D Johnson
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Daniel A Bastías
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Mwangi NG, Stevens M, Wright AJD, Edwards SG, Hare MC, Back MA. Grass-Endophyte Interactions and Their Associated Alkaloids as a Potential Management Strategy for Plant Parasitic Nematodes. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:274. [PMID: 38922168 PMCID: PMC11209465 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Claviceptaceous endophytic fungi in the genus Epichloë mostly form a symbiotic relationship with cool-season grasses. Epichloë spp. are capable of producing bioactive alkaloids such as peramines, lolines, ergot alkaloids, and indole-diterpenes, which protect the host plant from herbivory by animals, insects, and nematodes. The host also benefits from enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as salt, drought, waterlogging, cold, heavy metals, and low nitrogen stress. The bioactive alkaloids produced can have both direct and indirect effects towards plant parasitic nematodes. Direct interaction with nematodes' motile stages can cause paralysis (nematostatic effect) or death (nematicidal effect). Indirectly, the metabolites may induce host immunity which inhibits feeding and subsequent nematode development. This review highlights the different mechanisms through which this interaction and the metabolites produced have been explored in the suppression of plant parasitic nematodes and also how the specific interactions between different grass genotypes and endophyte strains result in variable suppression of different nematode species. An understanding of the different grass-endophyte interactions and their successes and failures in suppressing various nematode species is essential to enable the proper selection of grass-endophyte combinations to identify the alkaloids produced, concentrations required, and determine which nematodes are sensitive to which specific alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyambura G. Mwangi
- Agriculture and Environment Department, Harper Adams University, Newport TF10 8NB, UK; (S.G.E.); (M.C.H.); (M.A.B.)
| | - Mark Stevens
- British Beet Research Organisation, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UG, UK; (M.S.); (A.J.D.W.)
| | - Alistair J. D. Wright
- British Beet Research Organisation, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UG, UK; (M.S.); (A.J.D.W.)
| | - Simon G. Edwards
- Agriculture and Environment Department, Harper Adams University, Newport TF10 8NB, UK; (S.G.E.); (M.C.H.); (M.A.B.)
| | - Martin C. Hare
- Agriculture and Environment Department, Harper Adams University, Newport TF10 8NB, UK; (S.G.E.); (M.C.H.); (M.A.B.)
| | - Matthew A. Back
- Agriculture and Environment Department, Harper Adams University, Newport TF10 8NB, UK; (S.G.E.); (M.C.H.); (M.A.B.)
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Zhang W, Forester NT, Applegate ER, Liu X, Johnson LJ. High-affinity iron uptake is required for optimal Epichloë festucae colonization of Lolium perenne and seed transmission. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1430-1442. [PMID: 37477276 PMCID: PMC10576175 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae uses a siderophore-mediated system to acquire iron, which is important to maintain endophyte-grass symbioses. Here we investigate the roles of the alternative iron acquisition system, reductive iron assimilation (RIA), via disruption of the fetC gene, which encodes a multicopper ferroxidase, either alone (i.e., ΔfetC) or in combination with disruption of the gene sidA, which encodes a siderophore biosynthesis enzyme (i.e., ΔfetC/ΔsidA). The phenotypic characteristics of these mutants were compared to ΔsidA and wild-type (WT) strains during growth under axenic culture conditions (in culture) and in symbiosis with the host grass, perennial ryegrass (in planta). Under iron deficiency, the colony growth rate of ΔfetC was slightly slower than that of WT, while the growth of ΔsidA and ΔfetC/ΔsidA mutants was severely suppressed. Siderophore analyses indicated that ΔfetC mutants hyperaccumulate ferriepichloënin A (FEA) at low iron concentrations and ferricrocin and FEA at higher iron concentrations. When compared to WT, all mutant strains displayed hyperbranching hyphal structures and a reduced ratio of Epichloë DNA to total DNA in planta. Furthermore, host colonization and vertical transmission through infection of the host seed were significantly reduced in the ΔfetC/ΔsidA mutants, confirming that high-affinity iron uptake is a critical process for Epichloë transmission. Thus, RIA and siderophore iron uptake are complementary systems required for the maintenance of iron metabolism, fungal growth, and symbiosis between E. festucae and perennial ryegrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | | | - Emma R. Applegate
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Xinqi Liu
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Linda J. Johnson
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
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Obermeier C, Mason AS, Meiners T, Petschenka G, Rostás M, Will T, Wittkop B, Austel N. Perspectives for integrated insect pest protection in oilseed rape breeding. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2022; 135:3917-3946. [PMID: 35294574 PMCID: PMC9729155 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-022-04074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In the past, breeding for incorporation of insect pest resistance or tolerance into cultivars for use in integrated pest management schemes in oilseed rape/canola (Brassica napus) production has hardly ever been approached. This has been largely due to the broad availability of insecticides and the complexity of dealing with high-throughput phenotyping of insect performance and plant damage parameters. However, recent changes in the political framework in many countries demand future sustainable crop protection which makes breeding approaches for crop protection as a measure for pest insect control attractive again. At the same time, new camera-based tracking technologies, new knowledge-based genomic technologies and new scientific insights into the ecology of insect-Brassica interactions are becoming available. Here we discuss and prioritise promising breeding strategies and direct and indirect breeding targets, and their time-perspective for future realisation in integrated insect pest protection of oilseed rape. In conclusion, researchers and oilseed rape breeders can nowadays benefit from an array of new technologies which in combination will accelerate the development of improved oilseed rape cultivars with multiple insect pest resistances/tolerances in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Obermeier
- Department of Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Annaliese S Mason
- Plant Breeding Department, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Torsten Meiners
- Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Julius Kühn Institute, Koenigin-Luise-Str. 19, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Petschenka
- Department of Applied Entomology, University of Hohenheim, Otto-Sander-Straße 5, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Rostás
- Division of Agricultural Entomology, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torsten Will
- Insitute for Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance, Julius Kühn Insitute, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Wittkop
- Department of Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nadine Austel
- Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Julius Kühn Institute, Koenigin-Luise-Str. 19, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Fardella PA, Tian Z, Clarke BB, Belanger FC. The Epichloë festucae Antifungal Protein Efe-AfpA Protects Creeping Bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera) from the Plant Pathogen Clarireedia jacksonii, the Causal Agent of Dollar Spot Disease. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101097. [PMID: 36294663 PMCID: PMC9605492 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101097] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dollar spot disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Clarireedia jacksonii, is a major problem in many turfgrass species, particularly creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). It is well-established that strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) exhibits good dollar spot resistance when infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae. This endophyte-mediated disease resistance is unique to the fine fescues and has not been observed in other grass species infected with other Epichloë spp. The mechanism underlying the unique endophyte-mediated disease resistance in strong creeping red fescue has not yet been established. We pursued the possibility that it may be due to the presence of an abundant secreted antifungal protein produced by E. festucae. Here, we compare the activity of the antifungal protein expressed in Escherichia coli, Pichia pastoris, and Penicillium chrysogenum. Active protein was recovered from all systems, with the best activity being from Pe. chrysogenum. In greenhouse assays, topical application of the purified antifungal protein to creeping bentgrass and endophyte-free strong creeping red fescue protected the plants from developing severe symptoms caused by C. jacksonii. These results support the hypothesis that Efe-AfpA is a major contributor to the dollar spot resistance observed with E. festucae-infected strong creeping red fescue in the field, and that this protein could be developed as an alternative or complement to fungicides for the management of this disease on turfgrasses.
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von Cräutlein M, Helander M, Korpelainen H, Leinonen PH, Vázquez de Aldana BR, Young CA, Zabalgogeazcoa I, Saikkonen K. Genetic Diversity of the Symbiotic Fungus Epichloë festucae in Naturally Occurring Host Grass Populations. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:756991. [PMID: 34925265 PMCID: PMC8678516 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.756991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is a common symbiont of the perennial and widely distributed cool season grass, Festuca rubra. The symbiosis is highly integrated involving systemic growth of the fungus throughout above-ground host parts and vertical transmission from plant to its offspring via host seeds. However, the nature of symbiosis is labile ranging from antagonistic to mutualistic depending on prevailing selection pressures. Both the loss of fungus in the maternal host lineage and horizontal transmission through sexual spores within the host population may partly explain the detected variation in symbiosis in wild grass populations. Epichloë species are commonly considered as pathogens when they produce sexual spores and partly castrate their host plant. This is the pathogenic end of the continuum from antagonistic to mutualistic interactions. Here we examined the population genetic structure of E. festucae to reveal the gene flow, importance of reproduction modes, and alkaloid potential of the symbiotic fungus in Europe. Epichloë-species are highly dependent on the host in survival and reproduction whilst benefits to the host are largely linked to defensive mutualism attributable to fungal-origin bioactive alkaloids that negatively affect vertebrate and/or invertebrate herbivores. We detected decreased genetic diversity in previously glaciated areas compared to non-glaciated regions during the last glacial maximum period and found three major genetic clusters in E. festucae populations: southern, northeastern and northwestern Europe. Sexual reproduction may have a higher role than expected in Spanish E. festucae populations due to the predominance of unique genotypes and presence of both mating types in the region. In contrast, asexual reproduction via host seeds predominates in the Faroe Island and Finland in northern Europe due to the presence of biased mating-type ratios and large dominant genotypes in the E. festucae populations within the region. A substantially larger variation of alkaloid genotypes was observed in the fungal populations than expected, although the variability of the alkaloid genotypes within populations is considerably lower in northern than Spanish populations in southern Europe. E. festucae populations consist of different combinations of alkaloid classes from the gene clusters of ergot alkaloid and indole-terpenes, and from pyrrolopyrazine alkaloid gene. We suggest that the postglacial distribution history of the host grass, prevailing reproduction strategies of E. festucae, and local selection pressures likely explain a large part of the genetic variation observed in fungal populations among geographic regions. The identified alkaloid genotypes can be used by turfgrass breeders to improve resistance against herbivores in red fescue varieties and to develop new sustainable cultivars in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria von Cräutlein
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland.,Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marjo Helander
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Helena Korpelainen
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Helena Leinonen
- Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland.,Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Beatriz R Vázquez de Aldana
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Iñigo Zabalgogeazcoa
- Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Kari Saikkonen
- Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Turku, Finland
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Bioprospecting Desert Plants for Endophytic and Biostimulant Microbes: A Strategy for Enhancing Agricultural Production in a Hotter, Drier Future. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100961. [PMID: 34681060 PMCID: PMC8533330 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Endophytes are microbes that live inside plants without causing negative effects in their hosts. All land plants are known to have endophytes, and these endophytes have the capacity to be transferred between plants. Taking endophytes from desert plants, which grow in low-nutrient, high-stress environments, and transferring them to crop plants may alleviate some of the challenges being faced by the agricultural industry, such as increasing drought frequency and rising opposition to chemical use in agriculture. Studies have shown that desert endophytes have the capacity to increase nutrient uptake and increase plant resistance to drought and heat stress, salt stress, and pathogen attack. Currently, the agricultural industry focuses on using irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and chemical pesticides to solve such issues, which can be extremely damaging to the environment. While there is still a lot that is unknown about endophytes, particularly desert plant endophytes, current research provides evidence that desert plant endophytes could be an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional solutions being applied today. Abstract Deserts are challenging places for plants to survive in due to low nutrient availability, drought and heat stress, water stress, and herbivory. Endophytes—microbes that colonize and infect plant tissues without causing apparent disease—may contribute to plant success in such harsh environments. Current knowledge of desert plant endophytes is limited, but studies performed so far reveal that they can improve host nutrient acquisition, increase host tolerance to abiotic stresses, and increase host resistance to biotic stresses. When considered in combination with their broad host range and high colonization rate, there is great potential for desert endophytes to be used in a commercial agricultural setting, especially as croplands face more frequent and severe droughts due to climate change and as the agricultural industry faces mounting pressure to break away from agrochemicals towards more environmentally friendly alternatives. Much is still unknown about desert endophytes, but future studies may prove fruitful for the discovery of new endophyte-based biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, and abiotic stress relievers of crops.
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Antagonism to Plant Pathogens by Epichloë Fungal Endophytes-A Review. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10101997. [PMID: 34685806 PMCID: PMC8539511 DOI: 10.3390/plants10101997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epichloë is a genus of filamentous fungal endophytes that has co-evolved with cool-season grasses with which they form long-term, symbiotic associations. The most agriculturally important associations for pasture persistence for grazing livestock are those between asexual vertically transmitted Epichloë strains and the pasture species, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. The fungus confers additional traits to their host grasses including invertebrate pest deterrence and drought tolerance. Selected strains of these mutualistic endophytes have been developed into highly efficacious biocontrol products and are widely utilized within the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand for pasture persistence. Less publicized is the antagonism Epichloë endophytes display towards multiple species of saprophytic and pathogenic microbes. This opinion piece will review the current literature on antimicrobial properties exhibited by this genus of endophyte and discuss the reasons why this trait has historically remained a research curiosity rather than a trait of commercial significance.
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