Soybean-Macrophomina phaseolina-Specific Interactions and Identification of a Novel Source of Resistance.

Charcoal rot, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, is an economically important disease of soybean (Glycine max) worldwide. Objectives of the present research were to (i) study the genetic and pathogenic diversity in a collection of M. phaseolina isolates from Argentina and Paraguay and (ii) develop an improved in vitro phenotyping method to evaluate disease response of soybean genotypes to M. phaseolina isolates. Cluster analysis showed no clear association among simple sequence repeat profiles, year of collection, pathogenicity, and geographical origin of the isolates from Argentina and Paraguay. Subsequently, the response of four soybean genotypes against seven M. phaseolina isolates was evaluated in the field and the results were confirmed using the in vitro assay developed. This assay, which is based on root disease development on soybean seedlings, allowed the detection of a differential level of aggressiveness among the isolates on four soybean genotypes. The results suggest the existence of specific interactions among soybean genotypes and M. phaseolina isolates. In addition, cultivar Munasqa RR showed a superior response against M. phaseolina compared with DT 97-4290 (moderately resistant), thus becoming a novel source of resistance to charcoal rot.

Characterization of a variant of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri that triggers a host-specific defense response.

Citrus is an economically important fruit crop that is severely afflicted by Asiatic citrus bacterial canker (CBC), a disease caused by the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri). To gain insight into the molecular epidemiology of CBC, 42 Xanthomonas isolates were collected from a range of Citrus spp. across 17 different orchards in Tucumán, Argentina and subjected to molecular, biochemical, and pathogenicity tests. Analysis of genome-specific X. citri markers and DNA polymorphisms based on repetitive elements-based polymerase chain reaction showed that all 42 isolates belonged to X. citri. Interestingly, pathogenicity tests showed that one isolate, which shares >90% genetic similarity to the reference strain X. citri T, has host range specificity. This new variant of X. citri subsp. citri, named X. citri A(T), which is deficient in xanthan production, induces an atypical, noncankerous chlorotic phenotype in Citrus limon and C. paradisi and weak cankerous lesions in C. aurantifolia and C. clementina leaves. In C. limon, suppression of canker development is concomitant with an oxidative burst; xanthan is not implicated in the phenotype induced by this interaction, suggesting that other bacterial factors would be involved in triggering the defense response.

Elicitor-Based Biostimulant PSP1 Protects Soybean Against Late Season Diseases in Field Trials.

Currently, fungicide application in soybean production accounts for an important amount of global pesticide use, and it is therefore most desirable to find new healthier and more environmental friendly alternatives for the phytosanitary management in this crop. In this study, we present convincing evidence for effective induction of disease protection by the agricultural biostimulant PSP1, a formulation based on the plant-defense eliciting activity of the fungal protease AsES (Acremonium strictum elicitor subtilisin), in multiple field trials in Argentina. PSP1 was shown to combine well with commercial spray adjuvants, an insecticide, a herbicide and fungicides used in Argentinian soybean production without losing any defense-inducing activity, indicating an easy and efficient adaptability to conventional soybean production and disease management in the region. Results from multiple soybean field trials conducted with different elite genotypes at several locations during two consecutive growing seasons, showed that PSP1 is able to induce an enhanced pathogen defense which effectively reduced late season disease (LSD) development in field-grown soybean. This defense response seems to be broad-range as disease development was clearly reduced for at least three different fungi causing LSDs in soybean (Septoria glycines, Cercospora kikuchii and Cercospora sojina). It was noteworthy that application of PSP1 in soybean alone gave a similar protection against fungal diseases as compared to the commercial fungicides included in the field trials and that PSP1 applied together with a fungicide at reproductive stages enhanced disease protection and significantly increased grain yields. PSP1 is the first example of an elicitor-based strategy in order to efficiently control multiple fungal diseases under field conditions in the soybean crop. These results show the feasibility of using induced resistance products as complements or even full-good replacements to currently used chemical pesticides, fulfilling a role as important components of a more sustainable crop disease management system.

Ensayos de inoculación in vitro de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides aislado de hojas asintomáticas de Citrus limon / In vitro inoculation assays of Colletotrichum gloeosporioidesisolated from symptomless leaves of Citrus limon

Los hongos endofíticos pueden colonizar la parte interna de los tejidos sin causar daños aparentes al hospedador. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, agente causal de la antracnosis, Es la especie más frecuentemente aislada de plantas sanas de Citrus limon en Tucumán. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar, mediante técnicas de inoculación in vitro, la capacidad de estos aislamientos de producir infecciones sintomáticas o asintomáticas en plantines de Citrange ‘Troyer’ (Poncirus trifoliata x Citrus sinensis) y C. Limon. Se determinó el poder germinativo de conidios de loa aislamientos Nº328 y 797 obtenidos de hojas asintomáticas, y el patogénico Nº. N1. Platines en tubos de ensayo y macetas fueron inoculados con una suspensión de 105 conidios/ml y mantenidos en cámara de crecimiento a 25-28ºC. Los conidios de todas las cepas alcanzaron el máximo de germinación (100 por ciento) entre 6 y 7 horas de la siembra. Los aislamientos Nº 328 y 797 indujeron síntomas de antracnosis (clorosis de las hojas, necrosis del tallo y hojas, y defoliación) únicamente en los platines en tubos de ensayo en macetas no desarrollaron la enfermedad. El aislamiento patogénico produjo síntomas de enfermedad en los platines en tubos y macetas. La frecuencia de infección asintomática de los platines en tubo de ensayo fue del 12,5 por ciento para las cepas Nº 328 y 797. Los síntomas de antracnosis producidos por estas 2 cepas en platines en tubos y no en macetas, indicarían que la falta de preservación de condiciones naturales, favorables al hongo, no resultan las apropiadas para determinar el tipo de simbiosis que ocurre en la naturaleza. Consideramos que la utilización de mutantes endofíticas y la realización de los ensayos en plantas de limón a campo, permitirían estudiar mejor el comportamiento de estos hongos en los tejidos de la planta.