• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.566-579
• /
• 2021

Ralstonia syzygii subsp. indonesiensis (Rsi, former name: Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype IV) PW1001, a causal agent of potato wilt disease, induces hypersensitive response (HR) on its non-host eggplant (Solanum melongena cv. Senryo-nigou). The disaccharide trehalose is involved in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in many organisms. We found that trehalose is required for eliciting HR on eggplant by plant pathogen Rsi PW1001. In R. solanacearum, it is known that the OtsA/OtsB pathway is the dominant trehalose synthesis pathway, and otsA and otsB encode trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) synthase and T6P phosphatase, respectively. We generated otsA and otsB mutant strains and found that these mutant strains reduced the bacterial trehalose concentration and HR induction on eggplant leaves compared to wild-type. Trehalose functions intracellularly in Rsi PW1001 because addition of exogenous trehalose did not affect the HR level and ion leakage. Requirement of trehalose in HR induction is not common in R. solanacearum species complex because mutation of otsA in Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (former name: Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype I) RS1002 did not affect HR on the leaves of its non-host tobacco and wild eggplant Solanum torvum. Further, we also found that each otsA and otsB mutant had reduced ability to grow in a medium containing NaCl and sucrose, indicating that trehalose also has an important role in osmotic stress tolerance.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.251-257
• /
• 2023

In order to examine the pathogenicity of Alternaria dauci, the causal agent of carrot leaf blight, it is necessary to standardize sporulation conditions to ensure the optimal quantity and quality of spore inoculum. Therefore, in this study, the effects of the growth medium, aeration treatment, and UV treatment with 12-hr photoperiod on the sporulation of A. dauci KACC42997 were investigated. A. dauci KACC42997 was pre-cultured for 7 days in a potato dextrose agar medium at 25℃ in the dark condition. When the pre-culture, after removing aerial mycelia, was re-incubated for 5 days, with simultaneous aeration treatment and 12-hr cycle UV treatment at 20℃, the largest number of spores was produced. One hundred seventy isolates of A. dauci were isolated from major carrot growing regions such as Pyeongchang, Gumi and Jeju and tested for sporulation under the conditions established in this study. Except for 20 strains, all strains produced spores. Statistically significant differences in the extent of sporulation were found among local populations of A. dauci isolates, but no difference was observed in their pathogenicity on carrots.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2023

Dendropanax trifidus belonging to the family Araliaceae, is a warm-temperate evergreen tree distributed in Jeju Island, Bogil Island, Geomun Island, Geoje Island, Wando, and Haenam in Korea. In June 2021, a root rot disease in which branches of Dendropanax trifidus seedlings turned brown and shrunk was discovered at the seedling cultivation facility in Naju-si, Republic of Korea. To identify the root rot fungus, three strains were isolated from the diseased tissues of seedlings and their mycological characteristics were investigated on potato dextrose agar. In addition, a molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) gene. The fungus was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. For pathogenicity test, the roots of seedlings were immersed in the conidia suspension of the strains and planted. After 20 days inoculation, root rot and browning symptoms were confirmed in the inoculated plants. This is the first report of F. oxysporum on D. trifidus in Korea.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.275-289
• /
• 2023

Fungal isolates from infected Chinese quince trees were found to cause black rot in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Korea. The quince leaves withered and turned reddish-brown and fruits underwent black mummification. To elucidate the cause of these symptoms, the pathogen was isolated from infected leaf and fruit tissues on potato dextrose agar and Levan media. Several fungal colonies forming a fluffy white or dark gray mycelium and two types of fungi forming an aerial white mycelium, growing widely at the edges, were isolated. Microscopic observations, investigation of fungal growth characteristics on various media, and molecular identification using an internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α genes were performed. The fungal pathogens were identified as Diplodia parva and Diplodia crataegicola. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the pathogen-inoculated fruits exhibited a layered pattern, turning brown rotting; leaves showed circular brown necrotic lesions. The developed symptoms were similar to those observed in the field. Fungal pathogens were reisolated to fulfill Koch's postulates. Apples were inoculated with fungal pathogens to investigate the host range. Strong pathogenicity was evident in the fruits, with browning and rotting symptoms 3 days after inoculation. To determine pathogen control, a fungicidal sensitivity test was conducted using four registered fungicides. Thiophanate-methyl, propineb, and tebuconazole inhibited the mycelial growth of pathogens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation and identification of the fungal pathogens D. parva and D. crataegicola from infected fruits and leaves of Chinese quince, causing black rot disease in Korea.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.351-360
• /
• 2023

Citrus melanose, caused by Diaporthe citri, has been one of the serious diseases, and chemical fungicides were used for protection in many citrus orchards of Jeju Island. Establishing a disinfectant resistance management system and reducing pesticide usage would be important for contributing to safe agricultural production. In this study, monitoring of chemical resistance was performed with 40 representative D. citri isolates from many citrus orchards in Jeju Island. Four different fungicides, kresoxim-methyl, benomyl, fluazinam, and prochloraz manganese, with seven different concentrations were tested in vitro by growing the mycelium of the fungal isolates on the artificial medium potato dextrose agar. Among the 40 fungal isolates, 12 isolates were investigated as resistant to kresoxim-methyl which could not inhibit the mycelium growth to more than 50%. Especially isolate NEL21-2 was also resistant against benomyl, whose hyphae grew well even on the highest chemical concentration. However, any chemical resistance of fungal isolates was found against neither fluazinam nor prochloraz manganese. On the other hand, in vivo bio-testing of some resistant isolates was performed against both kresoxim-methyl and benomyl on young citrus leaves. Typical melanose symptoms developed on the citrus leaves pre-treated with both agrochemicals after inoculation with the resistant isolates. However, no or less symptoms were observed when the susceptible isolates were inoculated. Based on these results, it was suggested that some resistant isolates of D. citri occurred against both systemic fungicides, which may be valuable to build a strategy for protecting citrus disease.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.383-387
• /
• 2023

Peanut plants showing mild wilt were found in fields of Iksan, Korea, in August 2021. The diseased peanut plants were collected, and the causal pathogens were isolated using potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The isolated IS-1 strain formed white mycelia on PDA, which turned black with age. Sclerotia were produced on the PDA and barley leaves laid on water agar 7 d after incubation at 30℃. The sequences of both the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and calmodulin gene of IS-1 showed a 100% similarity with that of Macrophomina phaseolina. A phylogenetic tree constructed using the ITS regions of fungal pathogens causing disease in peanut plants indicated that the IS-1 stain belongs to M. phaseolina. The inoculation of IS-1 sclerotia into peanut seedlings resulted in yellowing and wilt symptoms in aboveground plants and brown to dark rots in roots 35-40 d after inoculation. Overall, the morphological characteristics, molecular identification, and pathogenicity of IS-1 indicate that the causal pathogen is M. phaseolina. This is the first report of charcoal rot caused by M. phaseolina on peanut plants in Korea. Further study is needed to develop the control measures for charcoal rot in peanut plants.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.114-123
• /
• 2024

In July 2022, stem rot symptom was found in a peony plant grown in a pot under a greenhouse at Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, South Korea. Two fungal species were isolated from the infected peony stems and cultured on 1/2-strength potato dextrose agar for identification. The morphological characteristics of the fungal isolates were examined, and nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region, β-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-α were analysed. The pathogenicity of the two isolates was confirmed in detached peony leaves, according to Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the report of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as the causal agents of peony stem rots. Antifungal activity of chemical fungicide propineb and rhizobacterium Bacillus siamensis H30-3 was shown against the two plant pathogenic fungi N. clavispora and S. sclerotiorum.Unidentified diffusible and volatile compounds from B. siamensis H30-3 could suppress in vitro mycelial growths of N. clavispora JJ 8-2-1 and S. sclerotiorum JJ 8-2-2.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2024

In August 2023, leaf spot disease was observed in peanuts in Cheongju-si, Korea. Leaf spots occurred at the leaf margins and the lesions gradually expanded. Diseased leaf areas were light or dark brown and irregular in shape. A fungal isolate was obtained from symptomatic leaf and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at 25℃. An isolate was identified as Colletotrichum sojae based on morphological characteristics and sequences of the internal transcribed spacers, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, chitin synthase-1, actin, and 𝛽-tubulin genes. Pathogenicity tests were performed on peanut seedlings in a conidial suspension (1×10⁶ conidia/mL). Lesions were observed on the peanut leaf 5 d after inoculation. The pathogen was re-isolated from the lesions of the inoculated leaves. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose on peanut caused by C. sojae in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND: In order to select a fungicide that can effectively control anthracnose disease in Japanese plum fruit, mycelial growth inhibition effect and spore germination inhibition effect of six fungicides were tested in vitro against six isolates of Colletotrichum acutatum and five isolates of C. gloeosporioides that were isolated from diseased Japanese plum fruit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inhibitory effects of fungicides on mycelial growth were investigated after inoculating each isolate on potato dextrose agar amended with four discriminatory concentrations of each fungicide for 7 days at $25^{\circ}C$. For spore germination inhibitory effect, each isolate of the Colletotrichum spp. was cultured in potato dextrose agar for 7-14 days at $25^{\circ}C$. After adjusting the concentration of spores of each isolate to $1{\times}10^6mL^{-1}$ by diluting with 0.025% PDB, the spore suspension was mixed with each fungicide (1:4, v/v), and $60{\mu}L$ aliquots were dispensed to sterile hole slide glass. Hole slide glasses were placed in a humidified box and incubated for 15 hours at $25^{\circ}C$. Then, spore germination was observed under an optical microscope. At recommended concentration of fungicide prochloraz manganese showed the highest mycelial growth inhibitory effect and dithianon showed the lowest mycelial growth inhibition. The $EC_{50}$ values for the inhibition of spore germination by dithianon and pyraclostrobin were $0.069-0.126{\mu}g/mL$ and $0.37-1.59{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Although benomyl, prochloraz manganese, azoxystrobin, and tebuconazole did not inhibit the spore germination, they appeared to restrain mycelial growth by abnormal growth of germ tube and mycelium after germination. CONCLUSION: Dithianon seemed to have preventive effect. Prochloraz manganese, azoxystrobin, and tebuconazole were likely to have control effect. Pyraclostrobin is considered to have both preventive and control effect against anthracnose disease of Japanese plum fruit.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.88-94
• /
• 2013

Brown patch caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IB occurred on Kentucky bluegrass during late May through early October 2010 at golf course in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. Disease symptoms on the turfgrass for spring season were leaf blights dying from the leaf tip, which appeared patches of brown color in the field. However, it appeared patches of dark brown color or gray brown color in fall. The fungus (B-7 isolate) of brown patch was isolated from the diseased leaf tissue and cultured on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) for identification. The young hyphae had acute angular branching and few septa and mature hyphal branches showed about 90-degree angles and development of monilioid cells, which were morphologically identical to Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IB reported previously. DNA sequences of ribosomal RNA gene (internal transcribed spacer) of the fungus were homologous with similarity of 99% to those of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IB isolates in GenBank database, confirming the identity of the causal agent of the disease. Pathogenicity of the fungus was also confirmed on the creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass by Koch's postulates. This is the first report of brown patch on Kentucky bluegrass caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IB in Korea.