Abstract
The genus Phyllosticta includes both endophytic and phytopathogenic species that occur on a broad range of plant hosts, including Citrus. Some pathogenic species cause severe disease, such as Phyllosticta citricarpa, the causal agent of Citrus Black Spot (CBS). In contrast, other species, such as Phyllosticta capitalensis, have an endophytic lifestyle in numerous plant hosts. Carbon utilization capabilities are hypothesized to influence both host range and lifestyle, and are in part determined by the set of Carbohydrate Active Enzyme (CAZyme) encoding genes of a species. In this study, carbon utilization capabilities of five Phyllosticta species were determined, as well as the CAZyme repertoire (CAZome) encoded in their genomes. Little variation was found among species in terms of carbon utilization capabilities and CAZome. However, one of the tested carbon sources, sugar beet pulp (SBP), inhibited growth of the plant pathogens, also when combined with another carbon source, while endophytic species remained unaffected.
Highlights
Fungal plant pathogens form an increasing threat to the agricultural sector and to our society, as they are responsible for enormous global crop losses and drive the dependency on environmentally harmful fungicides (Savary et al, 2019)
Carbon utilization of Phyllosticta spp. occurring on Citrus was examined with particular attention to differences between endophytic and pathogenic species
The minimum growth requirements were established; Phyllosticta spp. have a thiamine dependency and only grow properly on a minimal medium supplemented with thiamine and at a low pH (~5)
Summary
Fungal plant pathogens form an increasing threat to the agricultural sector and to our society, as they are responsible for enormous global crop losses and drive the dependency on environmentally harmful fungicides (Savary et al, 2019). In order to reduce the impact of these destructive diseases, an increased understanding of the underlying mechanisms of pathogenicity and the basic biology of the responsible species is of vital importance. One such disease is Citrus Black Spot caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, which results in various disease symptoms including leaf and fruit lesions, and leads to economic losses and in severe cases crop loss due to early fruit drop (Brentu et al, 2012; Kotze, 1981, 2000). Neither of these approaches is fully effective, and the use of fungicides increases the risk of antifungal resistance developing
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