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 and genome, transcriptome, and metabolome sequencing will address possible mechanisms of antagonism against these pathogens.
Fusarium oxysporum is a member of a large species complex (FOSC) that includes fungal species or forma specialis that are specialized on a diversity of different hosts and have diverse ecological lifestyles ranging from mutualists of plants (e.g. endophytes) to pathogens of humans and wilt or root rot pathogens of many crop plants. Host-specificity is thought to be determined in part by accessory chromosomes that may harbor genes encoding toxins and effectors required for pathogenicity against a particular host (Yang et al., 2020, Williams et al., 2016). In soybean, some F. oxysporum isolates may be asymptomatic endophytes, while others cause root rot disease (Li and Ma, 2011). F. oxysporum has also shown activity against nematodes (Mennan et al., 2005, Waweru et al., 2014), potentially mediated through production of secondary metabolites (Kundu et al., 2016, Kwon et al., 2007). This strain was isolated as an endophyte from soybean roots, but closely related strains were also isolated from soybean cyst nematode cysts.
Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI (Dr. Kathryn Bushley) and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).
References:
- KUNDU, A., SAHA, S., WALIA, S. & DUTTA, T. K. 2016. Anti-nemic secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp ciceris. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 19, 631-636.
- KWON, H. R., SON, S. W., HAN, H. R., CHOI, G. J., JANG, K. S., CHOI, Y. H., LEE, S., DO SUNG, N. & KIM, J. C. 2007. Nematicidal activity of bikaverin and fusaric acid isolated from Fusarium oxysporum against pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Plant Pathology Journal, 23, 318-321.
- LI, Y. G. & MA, F. M. 2012. Antagonistic Mechanism of Fusarium oxysporum of Soybean Root Rot by Bacillus subtilis. International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Sep 24-25 2011 Cheju Isl, SOUTH KOREA. DURNTEN-ZURICH: Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 127-131.
- MENNAN, S., AKSOY, H. M. & ECEVIT, O. 2005. Antagonistic effect of Fusarium oxysporum on Heterodera cruciferae. Journal of Phytopathology, 153, 221-225.
- WAWERU, B., TUROOP, L., KAHANGI, E., COYNE, D. & DUBOIS, T. 2014. Non-pathogenic F. oxysporum endophytes provide field control of nematodes, improving yield of banana (Musa sp.) Biological Control, 74, 82-88.
- WILLIAMS, A. H., SHARMA, M., THATCHER, L. F., AZAM, S., HANE, J. K., SPERSCHNEIDER, J., KIDD, B. N., ANDERSON, J. P., GHOSH, R., GARG, G., LICHTENZVEIG, J., KISTLER, H. C., SHEA, T., YOUNG, S., BUCK, S. A. G., KAMPHUIS, L. G., SAXENA, R., PANDE, S., MA, L. J., VARSHNEY, R. K. & SINGH, K. B. 2016. Comparative genomics and prediction of conditionally dispensable sequences in legume-infecting Fusarium oxysporum formae speciales facilitates identification of candidate effectors. BMC Genomics, 17, 24.
- YANG, H., YU, H. L. & MA, L. J. 2020. Accessory Chromosomes in Fusarium oxysporum. Phytopathology, 110, 1488-1496.
