Image Credit: Kathryn Bushley
Within the framework of JGI Community Sequencing Project “Defensive Mutualism of Fungal Root Endophytes of Soybean”, we are investigating the potential role of fungal endophytes isolated from soybean roots in protecting against two root pathogens: 1) the root rot fungus causing Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (Fusarium virguliforme) and the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). These fungi were screened for either anti-fungal or anti-nematode activity in-vitro. Genome, transcriptome, and metabolome sequencing will address possible mechanisms of antagonism against these pathogens.
Corynespora is a genus of fungi in Dothideomycetes that includes several species of plant pathogens known to cause disease on a wide range of plant species. The best-known species in the genus, Corynespora cassiicola, infects over 500 species of plants (Dixon et al., 2009). It is most widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, causing significant damage in rubber plantations in Southeast Asia (Li et al., 2021), but also causes target spot or target leaf-spot disease on various vegetable crops (tomato, cotton, cowpea, cucumber). It has become an emerging pathogen on soybean in the southeastern United States (Sumabat et al., 2018). This isolate of Corynespora sp. was isolated from soybean roots.
References:
- DIXON, L. J., SCHLUB, R. L., PERNEZNY, K. & DATNOFF, L. E. 2009. Host Specialization and Phylogenetic Diversity of Corynespora cassiicola. Phytopathology, 99, 1015-1027.
- LI, B. X., YANG, Y., CAI, J. M., LIU, X. B., SHI, T., LI, C. P., CHEN, Y. P., XU, P. & HUANG, G. X. 2021. Genomic Characteristics and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Two Chinese Corynespora cassiicola Strains Causing Corynespora Leaf Fall (CLF) Disease. Journal of Fungi, 7, 20.
- SUMABAT, L. G., KEMERAIT, R. C. & BREWER, M. T. 2018. Phylogenetic Diversity and Host Specialization of Corynespora cassiicola Responsible for Emerging Target Spot Disease of Cotton and Other Crops in the Southeastern United States. Phytopathology, 108, 892-901.
