Fusarium Redolens Research Articles

First Report of Crown Rot Caused by Fusarium redolens on Wheat in Kazakhstan.

Fusarium crown rot, caused by several species within the genus, is a major constraint that results in significant losses in wheat production worldwide. In June 2019, diseased wheat plants with typical symptoms of crown rot, including discoloration on the first two or three internodes of the stem just above the soil line and stunted, dry rotted, and discolored roots were collected in several bread wheat fields during the maturity stage in Almaty, East Kazakhstan, and Karaganda Regions of Kazakhstan. For each field, approximately twenty tillers were randomly sampled. Symptomatic tissues were surface sterilized in 1% NaClO for 2 min, rinsed with sterile distilled water three times, air-dried in a laminar flow hood, and then transferred to Petri dishes containing one-fifth strength potato dextrose agar (PDA). After incubating in the dark at 23°C for 5 days, 79 single-spore isolates showing cultural and microscopic characteristics of Fusarium were obtained on PDA and Spezieller-Nährstoffarmer agar (SNA). Colonies were initially white but later produced a beige to pink diffusible pigment in PDA. Microconidia that formed on aerial monophialides were hyaline, 0 to 1 septum, oval- to kidney-shaped, and measured 4.3 to 10.3 × 1.9 to 3.4 µm (average 7.8 × 2.6 µm), whilst macroconidia were straight to slightly curved, 3 to 5 septate, and measured 18.7 to 38.8 × 2.9 to 6.6 µm (average 29.9 × 4.7 µm), with foot-shaped basal cells on SNA. Chlamydospores were present on PDA. Sequence analysis based on portions of translation elongation factor 1α (TEF1) and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS rDNA) loci with primers EF1/EF2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998) and ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) identified 29 of the 79 isolates as Fusarium redolens Wollenw. The sequences of the five representative isolates with 99.85% of similarity to those of F. redolens strains available in GenBank e.g., ITS (MT435063) and TEF1 (GU250584). The TEF1 (accession nos. MW403914-MW403918) and ITS rDNA (accession nos. MW397138-MW397142) sequences of the isolates were deposited in GenBank. The morphological features are consistent with the described features of F. redolens (Leslie and Summerell 2006). To confirm pathogenicity of the five isolates, five pre-germinated seeds of wheat cultivar Seri 82 were placed in a 9-cm-diameter pot filled with a sterile potting mix containing equal volumes of peat, vermiculite, and soil. An approximately 1-cm-diameter 7-day-old mycelial plug of each isolate was individually placed in contact with the seeds. Seeds were covered with the same potting mix, and then the pots were maintained for four weeks in a growth chamber at 23°C with a 12-h photoperiod. The experiment was conducted twice with three replicate 15-cm pots with 5 plants per pot. Controls were inoculated with sterile agar plugs using the same procedure. After four weeks, all the inoculated plants showed stunted growth with brown discoloration in most parts of the crown and roots, whereas no symptoms were observed in the control plants. The mean severity of the disease for each isolate was between 2.1 and 2.7 according to the scale of 1 to 5 described by Gebremariam et al. (2015). The pathogen was reisolated from crowns of diseased plants, but not from asymptomatic control tissues, and identified morphologically based on the methods described above, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Although several morphological features are shared by F. oxysporum and F. redolens, Baayen et al. (2001) showed that these species could be easily distinguished using molecular data. The pathogen was previously reported as F. redolens associated with crown rot of wheat in Turkey (Gebremariam et al. 2015) and Saskatchewan, Canada (Taheri et al. 2011). The presence of F. redolens causing crown rot is confirmed in the six wheat fields surveyed in Kazakhstan, for the first time. This pathogen may pose a risk for wheat production, and further studies needed to determine the impact on the crop in Kazakhstan.

Duohua huangjing (Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua) seedling basal rot caused by Fusarium redolens in China.

Duohua huangjing (Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua) seedling basal stem rot caused by Fusarium redolens in China Tao Tang1, Fanfan Wang1, Jie Guo1, Xiaoliang Guo1, Yuanyuan Duan1,Jingmao You1* 1 Institute of Chinese Herbal Medicines, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Enshi, 445000, China. Duohua huangjing (Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua), a herbal medicine, that is mostly planted in several provinces in China. In April 2020, severe diseases with about 40% seedling losse was found in the Huangjing seedling base in Shiyan city, Hubei province. The symptoms included softening and decay of the roots and stem bases, a progressive yellowing and wilting of leaves, and finally being completely rotted. Small pieces of symptomatic stems (0.5 cm in length) and leaves (0.5 × 0.5 cm in size) were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s, followed by 0.1% HgCl2 for 1 min, rinsed three times with sterile water, and then dried with sterilized absorbent paper. The sections were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium containing 10 µg/ml of ampicillin and incubated at 25°C in the dark. After 3 days incubation, eight isolates with the same colony morphology were sub-cultured and purified by hyphal tip isolation. Macroconidia were sickle-shaped, 15.8 - 32.3 × 3.1 - 5.6 μm (n = 25), and three to five septate. Microconidia were oval or kidney-shaped, 5.2 - 11.4 × 2.0 - 3.2 μm (n = 25), and zero to one septate. To confirm the identity of the pathogen, molecular identification was performed with strain HJCD1. Following DNA extraction, PCR was performed using the TSINGKE 2×T5 Direct PCR Mix kit. Target areas of amplification were the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) using ITS1/4 (White et al. 1990) , EF1/EF2 (Taylor et al. 2016), respectively. Following BLAST searches and phylogenetic reconstruction, the ITS region (GenBank MW485770.1) showed 99% identity with those of Fusarium redolens in GenBank (KU350713.1) and the TEF-1α (GenBank MW503930.1) showed 100% identity with F. redolens GenBank (MK922537.1). Pathogenicity tests were performed to fulfill Koch's postulates. Huangjing seedlings were rinsed with sterile water, wiped clean with sterile absorbent paper, and transferred to a tray covered with wet filter paper to maintain high humidity. The mycelial piugs of F. redolens HJCD1 were inoculated onto the surface of leaves and basal stems. Controls were inoculated with sterile PDA plugs. The inoculated seedlings were sealed with plastic wrap, and then cultivated in a 25 ℃ growth chamber with 16 h of light per day. The pathogen-inoculated plants exhibited etiolation and typical wilt symptoms after 4 days, whereas no symptoms were observed in the control plants. F. redolens was reisolated from the infected tissues, and colony morphology and ITS sequence of re-isolates were same as that of HJCD1. The pathogen has been reported previously in american ginseng in China (Fan et al. 2021), lentil in Pakistan (Rafique et al. 2020), and wild rocket in United Kingdom (Taylor et al. 2019). However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. redolens causing seelding basal rot on Duohua huangjing in China.

American Ginseng Root Rot Caused by Fusarium redolens in China.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) originating from North America is one of important herbal medicine and economic crops . With the increasing market demand, China has become the third producer and the largest consumer country of American ginseng. However, continuous cropping obstacle has become the most serious problem for the production of American ginseng, and the continuous cropping of soils usually lead to accumulations of root fungal pathogens and increasing plant disease occurrence (1), root rot caused by the notorious soil-borne pathogenic fungi, Fusarium spp., results in a significant reduction of yield and quality of American ginseng. Investigation of American ginseng root rot was carried out in Liuba county, Shaanxi province, China from 2017 to 2019. About 20% of over 3-year-old American ginseng showed varied root rot symptoms in newly reclaimed fields, and more than 70% in continuous American ginseng planting fields. Among these root rot diseases, we found one kind of disease which shows symptoms of red leaves in initial stage and yellow or yellow brown lesions at the reed heads or taproots. The lesions mainly appear on the root surface; however, the vascular tissue has no discoloration. The aboveground parts become wilted and died, and the whole root appears dark brown rots. Fifteen Fusarium spp. isolates were obtained by cutting diseased rot roots into 5 × 5 mm2 pieces, disinfecting in 70% ethanol for 1 min, rinsing 2 ~ 3 times in sterile water for 1 min and isolating on PDA medium including 50 μg/mL streptomycin sulfate. All the isolates have identical morphological characteristics. The colony was white with curved and uplifted aerial hyphae in central region. The colony diameter was 48 ~51 mm after 6 days at room temperature. Microconidia were oval to cylindrical shape with 0 to 1 septa, ranged from 6.24 to10.09 μm long; the macroconidia were fusiform to conical with a hooked apical cell and a foot-shaped basal cell, usually 3 to 5 septa, ranged from 31.45 to 42.52 μm long. The chlamydospores were not found under our culture condition. Preliminary data analysis showed that the morphological characteristics of these isolates were consistent with the descriptions of Fusarium redolens (2). To clarify the fungus in the taxonomy , the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1-α) and the RNA polymerase II subunit 1 (RPB1) fragments of two randomly selected isolates were amplified and sequenced. The sequences of the corresponding fragments of the two isolates were identical. The blast results in the GenBank and FUSARIUM-ID databases show the isolates belong to F. redolens (3). Previous study indicated F. redolens has an indistinguishable relative, F. hostae (4). Although the ITS sequence (MW331695) cannot provide enough information to distinguish them, the phylogenetic tree combined the sequence of TEF1-α (tempID: 2407237 ) and RPB1 (tempID: 2407229) clearly showed that the isolates are F. redolens. (Fig) The pathogenicity of a representative isolate, YP04, was tested on ginseng taproot by in vivo inoculation experiments with three replications. The taproot surface of 2-year-old healthy ginseng was washed and disinfested with 75% alcohol for 1 min and rinsed with sterile water, and dried. The surface of taproot was injured with sterilized steel needles and immersed in 1 × 106 /ml spore suspension (sterile water for control plants) for 30 min. The treatment and control plants were transplanted in 20 cm diameter flowerpots filled with sterilized humus and cultured in a greenhouse at 18-23°C. Six days after transplanting, the leaves began to turn red. The cortex of ginseng taproot showed yellow brown lesions and the vascular tissue turn to light yellow. Fifteen days after transplanting, the aboveground parts of treatment plants began to wilting and the taproots showed serious rots. no taproot rot was observed in the controls. The pathogen was re-isolated from the diseased taproots successfully. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. redolens causing root rot of American ginseng in China.

Production of amylases by some aspergillus and fusarium species isolated from waste corncobs in Keffi, Nigeria

Amylases are important industrial enzymes that have wide applications ranging from conversion of starch to sugar syrups, to the production of cyclodextrins for the pharmaceutical industry. This investigation aimed at production of amylases using Aspergillus and Fusarium species isolated from waste-corncobs in Keffi Nigeria. Standard microbiological methods were employed for isolation and identification of the fungal isolates. The yields of amylases produced by fungi isolates were determined using Spectrometry. The isolation rate of Aspergillus and Fusarium species was high in location A, C and D with 60% and location B with 40%. The percentage occurrence of the isolates demonstrated that Aspergillus carneus was 40%, Aspergillus aculeatus was 60% and Aspergillus flavus was 20% while Fusarium moniliforme was 80% and Fusarium redolens was 40%. The result demonstrated that three species of the fungal isolates Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus carneus and Fusarium moniliforme were found to produce amylases. Aspergillus aculeatus isolated from locations C3, D1 and D2 produced 0.018mg/ml, 0.018mg/ml and 0.016mg/ml amylases respectively. Similarly, Aspergillus carneus isolated from locations A1 and B2 produced 0.021mg/ml and 0.012mg/ml amylases. Fusarium moniliforme isolated from locations A3, C1 and C4 produced 0.010mg/ml, 0.016mg/ml and 0.015mg/ml amylases. Result of effect of (temperature, pH and fermentation time) for production of amylases. Whereas highest amount for amylases produced by Aspergillus aculeatus and F monliforme were produced at 28 OC. pH 5.0 was found to the best optima pH for production of amylases from the fungi studied A. carneus (2.99 mg/ml amylases). The fermentation time showed highest production of amylase by A. carneus and A. aculeatus after 72 hours while F. moniliforme produced at 96hours. The fungi species isolated from soil in keffi can be used for production of amylases.

Evaluation of the efficacy and optimization of indigenous microbial isolate for herbicides (Paraquat Dichloride, Glyphosate, and Glyphosate isopropylamine) degradation

The presence of herbicides in soil is a serious problem for the environment. Studies on degradation of Herbicide (Paraquate dichloride (PD), Rake out (RO) and Gobara (GB)) by bacteria and fungi species isolated from soil environment in Keffi Metropolis Nigeria were carried out. A total of twenty (20) soil samples were collected. The bacteria and fungi were isolated from the soil and identified using standard microbiological methods. The herbicides utilization was determined using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer. The effect of temperature on utilization of the herbicides by Enterobacter asburiae at 26OC ranges from 1.23±0.11 mg/ml for PD, 1.14±0.29 mg/ml for RO and 0.53±0.86mg/ml for GB, Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilization ranges from 1.45±0.17 mg/ml for PD, 1.17±0.35 mg/ml, for RO 1.12± 0.82mg/ml for GB. Aspergillus flavus ranges from 2.12±0.19 mg/ml for PD, 2.00±0.03 mg/ml for RO and 2.02±0.57 mg/ml for GB, Fusarium redolens were 2.19±0.26 mg/ml for PD, 2.15±0.08 mg/ml for RO and 1.92±0.16 mg/ml for GB. Effect of incubation time on microbial herbicides degradations: for E. asburiae on PD it ranges from day 1 with 0.24±0.37 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.06±0.11 mg/ml. for P. aeruginosa on PD ranges from day 1 with 0.38±0.08 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.39±1.45 mg/ml. The Utilization of herbicides by A. flavus on PD ranges from day 1 with 0.10±0.01 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.29±0.12 mg/ml. for F. redolens in PD, it ranges from day 1 with 0.27±0.08 mg/ml to day 20 with 2.57±0.27mg/ml. The process of degradation of herbicide has become very attractive as it allows for removal of herbicide over a relatively broad range of pH and temperature

Molecular and phylogenic identifications of potential herbicide degrading microorganisms from contaminated farmland in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Background: Over the past years, the continuous use of herbicides has raised increasing concern mainly due to their massive pollution of the environment. To address this problem, the herbicide-degrading microorganism might be very promising. Method: In the present study, a total of twenty (20) soil samples were collected, bacteria and fungi were isolated from the soil and identified using standard microbiological and molecular studies. Results: The results revealed that a total of 2 bacterial (Enterobacter asburiae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 2 fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium redolens) strains were isolated from the soil samples collected from herbicide contaminated soil in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The E. asburiae and P. aeruginosa had 75.0%, and 100% occurrence while the fungi isolates including the A. flavus and F. redolens had 75.0%, and 100% occurrence respectively. The 16S rDNA and ITS1F analysis confirmed the identity of the bacteria and fungi genus. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the bacteria strains were closely related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain CIFRI DTSB1 and Enterobacter sp revealed a close relatedness with Enterobacter asburiae RD-DAROS-04 strain, whereas, the fungi strain revealed a closely relatedness of Fusarium redolens strainTIST190421511. Conclusion: In conclusion, the microbial strains including Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain CIFRI DTSB1, Entrobacter asburiae RD-DAROS-04, and Fusarium redolens strainTIST190421511 were the major microbial habitant of pesticide-contaminated farmland in Keffi, and thus represent the herbicide degrading microorganism in this region. Further studies on the herbicide degrading properties of these microbial strains are underway.

Isolation, identification, and characterization of cadmium-tolerant endophytic fungi isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots and their role in enhancing phytoremediation.

Four hundred endophytic fungi isolates with different colony morphologies were isolated from roots of Hordeum vulgare L. collected from un-engineered landfills (the measured cadmium was 0.9 mg kg-1) of Kermanshah province in West Iran. Based on morphology and phylogeny of DNA sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and comparing the sequences with that available in NCBI database, 11 isolates are identified as dark septate endophytes (DSE) including Alternaria alternata, Microdochium bolleyi, Bipolaris zeicola, Alternaria sp., and Pleosporales sp., and the other nine are not dark septate endophytes (non-DSE) including Fusarium redolens, Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium monliforme, Clonostachys rosea, and Epicoccum nigrum. Tolerance of DSE and non-DSE strains for Cd were investigated in potato dextrose agar medium. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Cd from nitrate salt source (Cd (NO3)2) and EC50 were determined. The means of MIC and EC50 values for DSE fungi species were 1254.5 and 209.74 mg/kg, compared to 800 and 150.3 mg/kg for non-DSEs. Among the endophytic fungi isolated, Alternaria sp. (TBR5) and Bipolaris zeicola (Tw26) showed the highest tolerance to Cd with a MIC value of 2000 mg/L and 1800 mg/L, respectively. Barley plants were inoculated with TBR5 and Tw26 in Cd-added sands (0, 10, 30, 60 mg Cd/kg sand). In terms of Cd accumulation, our results showed that TBR5 and Tw26 inoculation increased the amount of Cd in the barley roots. TBR5 and Tw26 significantly improved (p < 0.05) plant growth in the presence of Cd by enhancing plant growth attributes such as chlorophyll content, root weight, plant length, fresh weight, and dry weight of plants. This is the first study on the abundance and identification of endophytic root fungi of barley in a cadmium-contaminated soil in Iran. The results of this study showed that DSE and non-DSE have the potential to improve the efficiency of phytoremediation.

First report of Fusarium redolens associated with root and crown rot on black cumin in Turkey

First report of Fusarium redolens associated with root and crown rot on black cumin in Turkey

Molecular insights of fungal endophyte co-inoculation with Trichoderma viride for the augmentation of forskolin biosynthesis in Coleus forskohlii

To understand the compatibility of three native endophytic fungi Phialemoniopsis cornearis (SF1), Macrophomina pseudophaseolina (SF2) and Fusarium redolens (RF1) with Trichoderma viride (TV1) on Coleus forskohlii in enhancing plant growth and forskolin content, field experiments were conducted. Co-inoculation of RF1+TV1 showed significant improvement in plant growth (52%), root biomass (67%), and in-planta forskolin content (94%), followed by treatment with SF2+TV1 and SF1+TV1. qRT-PCR was carried out to quantify expression of five key forskolin biosynthetic pathway genes (CfTPS2, CfTPS3, CfTPS4, CfCYP76AH15, and CfACT1-8) in RF1+TV1 treated C. forskohlii plants. Elevated expression of CfTPS2, CfTPS4, CfCYP76AH15 and CfACT1-8 genes was observed with RF1+TV1 combination as compared to uninoculated C. forskohlii plants. Besides, RF1+TV1 treatment considerably reduced the severity of nematode infection of C. forskohlii plants under field conditions. Thus, congruent properties of F. redolens (RF1) were witnessed with co-inoculation of T. viride (TV1) under field conditions which resulted in enhanced forskolin content, root biomass, and reduced nematode infections in C. forskohlii. Overall, this approach could be an economical and sustainable step towards cultivation of commercially important medicinal plants.

Molecular characterization and distribution of Fusarium isolates from uncultivated soils and chickpea plants in Iran with special reference to Fusarium redolens

In this study, eighty isolates of Fusarium were obtained from the uncultivated soils and roots of chickpea plants showing typical black root rot symptoms from different areas of Kermanshah province, west Iran during 2015 to 2017. Based on colony morphology, growth pattern, and micromorphological characteristics, the most prevalent Fusarium species recovered from uncultivated soil were F. redolens, 38 isolates (64%), followed by F. oxysporum, 12 isolates (20%), F. solani, seven isolates (11%) and Neocosmospora vasinfecta, three isolates (5%). All isolates recovered from chickpea plants with black root rot symptom were identified as F. redolens according to macro-micromorphological and molecular characteristics. After grouping, 27 isolates were selected for molecular confirmation by phylogeny of DNA sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and translation EF1α intergenic regions. The results of the pathogenicity test under greenhouse condition revealed that all isolates of F. redolens obtained from chickpea plants with black root rot symptoms in this study and N. vasinfecta from uncultivated soil are pathogenic to chickpea cultivar Bivanij. Two weeks after inoculation with F. redolens and N. vasinfecta, symptoms developed as black cankers that extended upward and downward of roots of all emerged seedlings. Re-isolation from all inoculated plants after observation of symptoms were performed, and isolates were compared to original cultures thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. According to the results of canonical correspondence analysis, soil texture, altitude, CaCO3, EC, carbon, organic matter and pH in descending order were recognized as the most important environmental variables for the distribution of Fusarium species in soil. Fusarium redolens reflected a soil with very low sand, carbon, organic matter and intermediate pH, EC and CaCO3. Results of this study suggest that previously reported F. oxysporum in western Iran on chickpea might have been mistaken. This is the first report of pathogenicity of F. redolens and N. vasinfecta on chickpea from Iran.

Citizen science project reveals novel fusarioid fungi (Nectriaceae, Sordariomycetes) from urban soils.

Soil fungi play a crucial role in soil quality and fertility in being able to break down organic matter but are frequently also observed to play a role as important plant pathogens. As part of a Citizen Science Project initiated by the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and the Utrecht University Museum, which aimed to describe novel fungal species from Dutch garden soil, the diversity of fusarioid fungi (Fusarium and other fusarioid genera), which are members of Nectriaceae (Hypocreales) was investigated. Preliminary analyses of ITS and LSU sequences from more than 4 750 isolates obtained indicated that 109 strains belong to this generic complex. Based on multi-locus phylogenies of combinations of cmdA, tef1, rpb1, rpb2 and tub2 alignments, and morphological characteristics, 25 species were identified, namely 22 in Fusarium and three in Neocosmospora. Furthermore, two species were described as new namely F. vanleeuwenii from the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC), and F. wereldwijsianum from the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC). Other species encountered in this study include in the FOSC: F. curvatum, F. nirenbergiae, F. oxysporum and three undescribed Fusarium spp.; in the FIESC: F. clavus, F. croceum, F. equiseti, F. flagelliforme and F. toxicum; Fusarium tricinctum species complex: F. flocciferum and F. torulosum; the Fusarium sambucinum species complex: F. culmorum and F. graminearum; the Fusarium redolens species complex: F. redolens; and the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex: F. verticillioides. Three species of Neocosmospora were encountered, namely N. solani, N. stercicola and N. tonkinensis. Although soil fungal diversity has been well studied in the Netherlands, this study revealed two new species, and eight new records: F. clavus, F. croceum, F. flagelliforme, F. odoratissimum, F. tardicrescens, F. toxicum, F. triseptatum and N. stercicola.

First report of Fusarium redolens causing root rot disease of wheat and barley in Morocco

First report of Fusarium redolens causing root rot disease of wheat and barley in Morocco

An endophyte of Macrochloa tenacissima (esparto or needle grass) from Tunisia is a novel species in the Fusarium redolens species complex

ABSTRACT Here, we report on the morphological, molecular, and chemical characterization of a novel Fusarium species recovered from the roots and rhizosphere of Macrochloa tenacissima (halfa, esparto, or needle grass) in central Tunisia. Formally described here as F. spartum, this species is a member of the Fusarium redolens species complex but differs from the other two species within the complex, F. redolens and F. hostae, by its endophytic association with M. tenacissima and its genealogical exclusivity based on multilocus phylogenetic analyses. To assess their sexual reproductive mode, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed and used to screen the three strains of F. spartum, 51 of F. redolens, and 14 of F. hostae for mating type (MAT) idiomorph. Genetic architecture of the MAT locus in the former two species suggests that if they reproduce sexually, it is via obligate outcrossing. By comparison, results of the PCR assay indicated that 13/14 of the F. hostae strains possessed MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs and thus might be self-fertile or homothallic. However, when the F. hostae strains were selfed, 11 failed to produce perithecia and one only produced several small abortive perithecia. Cirrhi with ascospores, however, were only produced by 8/28 and 4/84 of the variable size perithecia, respectively, of F. hostae NRRL 29888 and 29890. The potential for the three F. redolens clade species to produce mycotoxins, pigments, and phytohormones was assessed by screening whole genome sequence data and by analyzing extracts on cracked maize kernel cultures via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

First Report of Vascular Wilt on Lentil (Lens culinaris) Caused by Fusarium redolens in Pakistan

First Report of Vascular Wilt on Lentil (<i>Lens culinaris</i>) Caused by <i>Fusarium redolens</i> in Pakistan

Treatments with native Coleus forskohlii endophytes improve fitness and secondary metabolite production of some medicinal and aromatic plants.

Endophytes have been shown to play a crucial role in determining the fitness of host plant during their association, yet the cross-functional effect of endophytes of one plant on another plant remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we attempt to analyze the effect of native endophytes of Coleus forskohlii (Phialemoniopsis cornearis (SF1), Macrophomina pseudophaseolina (SF2), and Fusarium redolens (RF1), isolated from stem and root parts) on plant growth and secondary metabolite enhancement in medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, and aromatic plants Pelargonium graveolens and Artemisia pallens. Here, we report, endophytic treatments with SF2 (21%) and RF1 (9%) in A. paniculata resulted in significant enhancement of andrographolide along with plant primary productivity. Correspondingly, application of fungal endophytes RF1, SF1, and SF2 significantly improved the plant growth (11 to 40%), shoot weight (28 to 34%), oil content (44 to 58%), and oil yield (72 to 122%) in P. graveolens. Interestingly, treatment of A. pallens with three fungal endophytes resulted in significant enhancement of plant productivity and oil content (12 to 80%) and oil yield (32 to 139%). Subsequently, the endophyte treatments RF1 and SF1 enhanced davanone (13 to 22%) and ethyl cinnamate (11 to 22%) content. However, SF2 endophyte-treated plants did not show any improvement in ethyl cinnamate content but enhanced the content of davanone (10%), a signature component of davana essential oil. Overall, results depict cross-functional role of native endophytes of C. forskohlii and repurposing of functional endophytes for sustainable cultivation of economically important medicinal and aromatic crops.

Full genome sequence of a new polymycovirus infecting Fusarium redolens.

By screening a collection of Fusarium spp. for the presence of dsRNA, the Fusarium redolens strain A63-1 was found harboring a pattern of multiple dsRNA bands when analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Using NextSeq Illumina sequencing, the full sequences of eight dsRNA molecules were determined, compared to databases, and gathered into a new viral genome. This novel virus shares similarities with mycoviruses that were recently grouped in the proposed family "Polymycoviridae". Hence, the name "Fusarium redolens polymycovirus 1" is proposed for this virus. Each viral dsRNA contains only one ORF, except dsRNA 7, which has an additional one. Based on amino acid sequence similarities, the functions of the proteins encoded by dsRNA 1-4 can be hypothesized. On the other hand, the putative proteins encoded by dsRNA 5-8 exhibit no relevant homology to known proteins. In this report, the full genome sequence of this new virus is presented along with a primary bioinformatics analysis.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium redolens Causing Wilting and Yellowing of Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) in the United Kingdom

In summer 2015, a UK grower reported crop losses of 20% (>£170k) in glasshouse-grown wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia, cvs. Voyager and Napoli) with disease symptoms initially seen as chlorosis of leaf veins followed by wilting, yellowing and plant death. Diseased plants were collected from three areas of a glasshouse with further samples taken from two areas of another glasshouse in 2017. Roots were washed, surface sterilized in 70% ethanol for 10s, rinsed twice in sterile water and 5mm sections placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing 20 µg/ml chlorotetracycline. Following incubation at 20°C for 4 days, fungal colonies were sub-cultured onto PDA and examined after 14 days. All colonies resembled Fusarium with four morphotypes identified. Morphotype 1: flat, white colonies, abundant oval to cylindrical microconidia (9.4 x 4.6 µm), no macroconidia. Morphotype 2: pale yellow colonies which darkened with age to orange/brown, no microconidia, abundant macroconidia (33.3 x 5.7 µm), 3-7 septate, dorsiventral curvature, hooked basal cell and papillate apical cell. Morphotype 3: white colonies, cotton-like aerial mycelium with pink pigmentation on the underside. Abundant cylindrical (occasionally oval) microconidia (8.9 x 3.6 µm), sparse macroconidia (15.2 x 4.1 µm), slightly curved and slender, 3 septate with hooked basal cell and pointed apical cell. Morphotype 4: white colonies, cotton like aerial mycelium with orange/red pigmentation on the underside, abundant cylindrical microconidia (8.2 x 3.3 µm), macroconidia extremely sparse (15.4 x 3.9 µm), slightly curved and slender, 3-4 septate with hooked basal cell and pointed apical cell. Morphotype 1 was most frequently isolated from diseased plants. DNA was extracted from cultures of each morphotype (19 x type 1, 4 x type 2, 1 x type 3 and 4) and PCR carried out to amplify and sequence part of the translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) gene (Taylor et al., 2016). Following BLAST searches and phylogenetic reconstruction (Fig. S2), isolates were identified as Fusarium redolens (morphotype 1, GenBank accession no. MK172061), Fusarium equiseti (morphotype 2, MK172060) and Fusarium oxysporum (morphotype 3, MK172059 and type 4, MK172058). F. oxysporum isolates were only identified in 2015. The pathogenicity of each Fusarium sp. was determined on six wild rocket cultivars. Roots of five week-old plants (eight plants per isolate/cultivar combination) were trimmed by 2-3mm and soaked in 100 ml of conidial suspension (1 x 106 cfu/ml) for 10 minutes before transplanting into compost in 9 cm pots. Control plants were dipped in sterile water. Pots were placed in a glasshouse (27°C day, 20°C night) and disease symptoms recorded twice weekly. Typical symptoms of wilting and yellowing (particularly in leaf veins) were observed 12 days after inoculation with F. oxysporum and F. redolens, while uninoculated control plants and those inoculated with F. equiseti remained healthy. Fusarium was consistently re-isolated from symptomatic plants, and following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing of the EF1-α gene, sequences matched the identity of the inoculated isolate, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of Fusarium wilt of rocket in the UK and to our knowledge the first ever report of F. redolens causing wilt of wild rocket. F. oxysporum has been reported to cause wilt of wild rocket in Italy (Garibaldi et al. 2003) whilst F. redolens is known to cause wilt of chickpea (Jimenez-Fernandez et al. 2011).

First Report of Seedling Blight Caused by Fusarium redolens on Rice in Northeast China

First Report of Seedling Blight Caused by <i>Fusarium redolens</i> on Rice in Northeast China

Functional Fungal Endophytes in Coleus forskohlii Regulate Labdane Diterpene Biosynthesis for Elevated Forskolin Accumulation in Roots.

Coleus forskohlii is a perennial medicinal shrub cultivated mainly for its forskolin content. The plant has been used since ancient times in ayurvedic traditional medicines for the treatment of hypertension, glaucoma, asthma, congestive heart failures, obesity, and cancer. Use of endophytic microorganisms presents a special interest for the development of value-added bioactive compounds through agriculture. Limited investigations have been undertaken on in planta enhancement of forskolin content using endophytic fungus in sustainable agriculture. Here we report specific roles of three fungal endophytes, Fusarium redolens (RF1), Phialemoniopsis cornearis (SF1), and Macrophomina pseudophaseolina (SF2), functionally acting as plant probiotic fungus, regulating secondary metabolite (forskolin) biosynthesis in C. forskohlii. The root endophyte, RF1, and shoot endophytes, SF1 and SF2, were found to enhance forskolin content by 52 to 88% in pot and 60 to 84% in field experiments as compared to uninoculated control plants. The three endophytes also enhanced total biomass owing to plant growth promoting properties. The expression of diterpene synthases (CfTPSs) like CfTPS1, CfTPS2, CfTPS3, and CfTPS4 were significantly upregulated in endophyte-treated C. forskohlii plants. Elevated expression of key diterpene synthases (CfTPS2) in the forskolin biosynthesis pathway, exclusively present in the root cork of C. forskohlii, was observed following SF2 endophyte treatment. Furthermore, endophyte treatments conferred a variety of antagonistic activity against nematode galls (80%) and plant pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotricum gloeosporioides, and Sclerotium rolfsii. RF1 and SF1 fungal endophytes showed positive for IAA production; however, SF1 also indicated phosphate solubilization activity. Overall, the qualitative and quantitative improvement of in planta forskolin enhancement represents an area of high commercial interest, and hence, our work focused on novel insights for the application of three fungal endophytes for in planta enhancement of forskolin content for C. forskohlii cultivation by a sustainable approach.

Isolation and identification of fungal assemblages in the necrotic spots of Bambusa pallida (L.) Voss

Bamboos are the most important plant due to their different uses and good source of income for upliftment of rural economy. Different parts of bamboos are damaged by many harmful bacteria, fungi and other organisms causing huge loss of economy. Diseased leaves of Bambusa pallida were used for isolation of fungal assemblages in symptom sites. A total of 7 fungi were isolated from the cultured medium; these were Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Drechslera rostrata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium redolens, Sterile sp1, Sterile sp2, and Sterile sp3. Isolated L. theobromae, D. rostrata, C. lunata, F. redolens may be the causal fungi for necrotic spots disease in B. pallida. Colonization rate and isolation rate (%) were observed highest in L. theobromae, C. lunata F. redolens and Sterile sp2. The present finding will be helpful for knowing the causes of damage and relation with leaf spot disease. Further studies needed to be undertaken for finding the mode of colonization to causes diseases.