Abstract
Ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is one of the most damaging soilborne fungal pathogens affecting hundreds of plant hosts, including many economically important crops. Its genomic sequence has been available for less than a decade, and it was recently updated with higher completion and better gene annotation. Here, we review key molecular findings on the unique biology and pathogenesis process of S. sclerotiorum, focusing on genes that have been studied in depth using mutant analysis. Analyses of these genes have revealed critical players in the basic biological processes of this unique pathogen, including mycelial growth, appressorium establishment, sclerotial formation, apothecial and ascospore development, and virulence. Additionally, the synthesis has uncovered gaps in the current knowledge regarding this fungus. We hope that this review will serve to build a better current understanding of the biology of this under-studied notorious soilborne pathogenic fungus.
Highlights
Ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a soilborne pathogenic fungus, which was first described as Peziza sclerotiorum by Libert [1]
We focus on recent key molecular findings on the unique biology and pathogenesis process of S. sclerotiorum
It is reasonable to speculate that a slow evolution rate and extensive self-fertilization of S. sclerotiorum may have led to a striking absence of strong selective sweeps, as there is only one gene within this 10 Kb region, which encodes a major facilitator superfamily transporter that was only negligibly expressed at late stages of Brassica napus infection [22]
Summary
Ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a soilborne pathogenic fungus, which was first described as Peziza sclerotiorum by Libert [1]. De Bary as the major species of Sclerotinia, as it is the best-known and most economically important pathogen of the genus. S. sclerotiorum has an extremely broad host range, which consists of more than 600 plant species, including almost all dicotyledonous and some monocotyledonous plants. 600infect plantmany species, economically important crops, such as canola; legumes such as soybean and peanut; including almost all dicotyledonous and some monocotyledonous plants [10,11]. Like widening row spacing, and using wire trellis supports to raise foliage from the ground have been reported to be helpful [18,20] Factors, such as type of crop, method of cultivation, and environmental conditions, always affect the effectiveness of each control method. We hope that this review will serve to build a better current understanding of the biology of this notorious soilborne pathogenic fungus
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