• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2015

Isolates of the rice blast fungus show a range of tissue-specificities infecting leaves, nodes, neck and panicles. Although neck and panicle blast cause significantly greater yield losses than the leaf blast, virulence tests of the blast isolates have been performed only rice leaves instead of neck and panicles. In this study, we have developed a virulence test method for neck and panicle blast. We selected three representative isolates from each of leaf, neck, and panicle blast. We observed that severe disease lesions developed on the neck and the panicles when the infected rice plants were incubated in a dew chamber for 48 h instead of 24 h when tested on leaves. Unlike the leaf blast, a typical lesion on the neck and panicles appeared after 14 days post-infection as opposed to 7 days with leaf blast. This method will be applied to examine tissue-specificity of the rice blast fungus isolates.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.10-18
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• 1998

For improvement of plants in disease resistance, it is most important to elucidate the mechanism to perceive and respond to the signal molecules of invaders. A model system with pea and its pathogen, Mycosphaerella pinodes, showed that the fungal elicitor induced defense responses in all plant species tested but that the suppressor of the fungus blocked or delayed the expression of defense responses and induced accessibility only in the host plant. In the world, many researchers believe that the pathogens` signals are recognized only on the receptors in the plasma membranes. Though we found that the ATPase and polyphosphoinositide metabolism in isolated plasma membranes responded to these fungal signals, we failed to detect specific actions of the suppressor in vitro on these plasma membrane functions. Recently, we found that ATPase (NTPases) and superoxide generating system in isolated cell wall were regulated by these fungal signals even in vitro, especially, by the suppressor in a strictly species-specific manner and also that the cell wall alone prepared an original defense system. The effects of both fungal signals on the isolated cell wall functions in vitro coincide perfectly with those on defense responses in vivo. In this treatise, we discuss the key role of the cell wall, which is plant-specific and the most exterior organelle, in determining host-parasite specificity and molecular target for improvement of plants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1184-1190
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• 2009

A thermostable extracellular $\beta$-mannanase from the culture supernatant of a fungus Aspergillus niger gr was purified to homogeneity. SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band of molecular mass 66 kDa. The $\beta$-mannanase exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.5 and $55^{\circ}C$. It was thermostable at $55^{\circ}C$, and retained 50% activity after 6 h at $55^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was stable at a pH range of 3.0 to 7.0. The metal ions $Hg^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, and $Ag^{2+}$ inhibited complete enzyme activity. The inhibitors tested, EDTA, PMSF, and 1,10-phenanthroline, did not inhibit the enzyme activity. N-Bromosuccinimide completely inhibited enzyme activity. The relative substrate specificity of enzyme towards the various mannans is in the order of locust bean gum>guar gum>copra mannan, with $K_m$ of 0.11, 0.28, and 0.33 mg/ml, respectively. Since the enzyme is active over a wide range of pH and temperature, it could find potential use in the food-processing industry.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.196-198
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• 2008

A rust disease occurred on Lysimachia clethroides in Deogyusan National Park, Jeollabukdo. The typical symptoms of the disease appeared as small, yellowish spots on leaves at first. The spots then turned yellowish brown and powdery mass of blackish brown spores appeared on the lesions. Severely infected leaves blighted and eventually shriveled. Teliospores were yellowish brown in color, clavate or fusiform in shape and $38{\sim}62\;{\times}\;14{\sim}22\;{\mu}m$ in size, the apex rounded or obtuse, the base attenuated. Pedicels hyaline, persistence, up to $75{\mu}m$ long. The causal fungus was identified as Puccinia dieteliana based on mycological characteristics and host specificity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.630-636
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• 2010

A survey of the endangered orchid Orchis militaris populations was carried out in north-eastern Italy. The occurrence of fungal root endophytes was investigated by light and electron microscopies and molecular techniques. Two main sites of presence were individuated in the Euganean Hills, differing as to the percentage of flowering individuals and of capsules completing maturity. Fluorescence microscopy revealed an intracellular cortical colonization by hyphal pelotons. Two ITS PCR products co-amplified. Sequencing revealed for the former an identity and a high similarity (99%) with a Tulasnellaceae (Basidiomycota) fungus found within tissues of the same host in independent studies in Hungary and Estonia, suggesting an interesting case of tight specificity throughout the Eurosiberian home range. The second amplicon had 99% similarity with Tetracladium species (Ascomycota) recently demonstrated as potential endophytes. TEM revealed two different hyphal structures. Double fungal colonization appears to occur in Orchis militaris and the possible requirement of a specific fungal partner throws light on the causes of this plant's rarity and threatened status.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.4
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• pp.466-475
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• 1997

I examined arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungus inoculation effects on the seedling growth of Korean ash tree(Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance), which distributes in fertile mesic soils, under a seven-day watering cycle of water stress and compost-added fertile conditions. Three Korea-native AM fungi were inoculated : an unidentified Glomus species, Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall and Scutellospora heterogama(Nicol. & Gerd) Walker & Sanders from disturbed forest soils. The effect of AM fungus inoculation on the seedling varied depending upon fungal species and soil conditions. AM formation was 27 to 65% by the Glomus without forming spores, 47 to 74% with about 10 spores per 20g soil by G. margarita and about 65% with 35 spores by S. heterogama. The soil conditions did not affect either AM or spore formation. The Glomus inoculation increased shoot N and P concentrations, but did not affect seedling growth. G. margarita increased shoot N and P, irrespective of soil conditions, in general, but S. heterogama increased N under water stress and Pin the control soil only. These two fungi significantly increased seedling growth in both control and water stress soils. Compost addition increased the growth of non-mycorrhizal seedlings and offset AM fungus inoculation effects. The relative field mycorrhizal dependency(RFMD) of the seedlings was significant only in control and water stress soils by over 40% in G. margarita or S. heterogama AM plants. Under water stress RFMD was the most evident in S. heterogama AM plants. I conclude that some AM fungi such as G, margarita and S. heterogama can broaden the niche of Korean ash seedlings to a water stress or nutrient poor site but less likely to more fertile sites.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is produced by Aspergillus flavus growing in feedstuffs. Early detection of maize contamination by aflatoxigenic fungi is advantageous since aflatoxins exert adverse health effects. In this study, we report the development of an optimized conventional PCR for AFB1 detection and a rapid, sensitive and simple screening Real-time PCR (qPCR) with SYBR Green and two pairs of primers targeting the aflR genes which involved aflatoxin biosynthesis. AFB1 contaminated maize samples were divided into three groups by the toxin concentration. Genomic DNA was extracted from those samples. The target genes for A. flavus were tested by conventional PCR and the PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis. A conventional PCR was carried out as nested PCR to verify the gene amplicon sizes. PCR-RFLP patterns, obtained with Hinc II and Pvu II enzyme analysis showed the differences to distinguish aflatoxin-producing fungi. However, they are not quantitative and need a separation of the products on gel and their visualization under UV light. On the other hand, qPCR facilitates the monitoring of the reaction as it progresses. It does not require post-PCR handling, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination and handling errors. It results in a much faster throughout. We found that the optimal primer annealing temperature was $65^{\circ}C$. The optimized template and primer concentration were $1.5{\mu}L\;(50ng/{\mu}L)$ and $3{\mu}L\;(10{\mu}M/{\mu}L)$ respectively. SYBR Green qPCR of four genes demonstrated amplification curves and melting peaks for tub1, afIM, afIR, and afID genes are at $88.0^{\circ}C$, $87.5^{\circ}C$, $83.5^{\circ}C$, and $89.5^{\circ}C$ respectively. Consequently, it was found that the four primers had elevated annealing temperatures, nevertheless it is desirable since it enhances the DNA binding specificity of the dye. New qPCR protocol could be employed for the determination of aflatoxin content in feedstuff samples.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.305-313
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• 2020

Host shifting and host expansion of fungal plant pathogens increases the rate of emergence of new pathogens and the incidence of disease in various crops, which threaten global food security. Magnaporthe species cause serious disease in rice, namely rice blast disease, as well as in many alternative hosts, including wheat, barley, and millet. A severe outbreak of wheat blast due to Magnaporthe oryzae occurred recently in Bangladesh, after the fungus was introduced from South America, causing great loss of yield. This outbreak of wheat blast is of growing concern, because it might spread to adjacent wheat-producing areas. Therefore, it is important to understand the host range and population structure of M. oryzae and related species for determining the evolutionary relationships among Magnaporthe species and for managing blast disease in the field. Here, we collected isolates of M. oryzae and related species from various Poaceae species, including crops and weeds surrounding rice fields, in Korea and determined their phylogenetic relationships and host species specificity. Internal transcribed spacer-mediated phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. oryzae and related species are classified into four groups primarily including isolates from rice, crabgrass, millet and tall fescue. Based on pathogenicity assays, M. oryzae and related species can infect different Poaceae hosts and move among hosts, suggesting the potential for host shifting and host expansion in nature. These results provide important information on the diversification of M. oryzae and related species with a broad range of Poaceae as hosts in crop fields.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.54-56
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• 2004

Rust disease was occurred on blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis) in several farmer's fields located in Heohwa-myon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam province in Korea. The typical symptoms of the disease appeared as small, yellowish spot on leaves at first. The spots then turned brown, their edges rised slightly, and powdery mass of yellow or yellowish green spores appeared on the lesions. Severely infected leaves were blighted and eventually died. Urediniospores were yellow or yellowish brown in color, globoid to ovoid in shape and $21{\sim}46{\times}18{\sim}38\;{\mu}m$ in size. Teliospores were brown in color, oblong or clavate in shape and $32{\sim}64{\times}12{\sim}26\;{\mu}m$ in size. The causal fungus was identified as Puccinia belamcandae based on morphological characteristics and host specificity. This is the first report on the rust of B. chinensis caused by P. belamcandae in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.95-97
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• 2005

A rust disease occurred on Veratrum patulum in Deogyusan National Park, Jeollabukdo. The typical symptoms of the disease appeared as small, yellowish spots on leaves at first. The spots then turned brown, their edges rised slightly, and powdery mass of yellow or yellowish brown spores appeared on the lesions. Severely infected leaves blighted and eventually defoliated. Urediniospores were yellowish brown in color, globose, subglobose or ellipsoid in shape and $19{\sim}27\;{\times}\;17{\sim}24\;{\mu}m$ in size. Teliospores were brown in color, ellipsoid, ovate or oblong in shape and $19{\sim}36\;{\times}\;15{\sim}21\;{\mu}m$ in size, the apex mostly rounded, with hyaline or subhyaline conical papilla, the base rounded or attenuated, smooth. Pedicels hyaline or subhyaline, up to $38\;{\mu}m$ long. The causal fungus was identified as Uromyces veratri Schroeter based on mycological characteristics and host specificity.