• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2015

Citrus scab disease is one of the destructive diseases that reduce the value of fruit for the fresh market. We analyzed the process of symptom development after infection with scab pathogen $Elsino{\ddot{e}}$ fawcettii in the susceptible satsuma mandarin leaves to observe the structural modification against pathogen. The cuticle and epidermal cells along with 3-5 layers of mesophyll tissue were degraded 1-2 days post inoculation. Surrounding peripheral cells of degraded tissues grew rapidly and then enveloped the necrotic area along with the growing conidia. Cross sections through the lesion revealed hyphal colonization in epidermis and mesophyll tissues. In response to the pathogen colonization, host cell walls were lignified, inner cells were rapidly compartmentalized and a semi-circular boundary was formed that separated the infected region from the non-infected region, and finally prevented the intercellular pathogen spread.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.268-279
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• 2021

Citrus scab, caused by the fungal pathogen Elsinoë fawcettii, is one of the most important fungal diseases affecting Citrus spp. Citrus scab affects young tissues, including the leaves, twigs, and fruits, and produces severe fruit blemishes that reduce the market value of fresh fruits. To study the molecular responses of satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu) to E. fawcettii, plant hormone-related gene expression was analyzed in response to host-compatible (SM16-1) and host-incompatible (DAR70024) isolates. In the early phase of infection by E. fawcettii, jasmonic acid- and salicylic acid-related gene expression was induced in response to infection with the compatible isolate. However, as symptoms advanced during the late phase of the infection, the jasmonic acid- and salicylic acid-related gene expression was downregulated. The gene expression patterns were compared between compatible and incompatible interactions. As scabs were accompanied by altered tissue growth surrounding the infection site, we conducted gibberellic acid- and abscisic acid-related gene expression analysis and assessed the content of these acids during scab symptom development. Our results showed that gibberellic and abscisic acid-related gene expression and hormonal changes were reduced and induced in response to the infection, respectively. Accordingly, we propose that jasmonic and salicylic acids play a role in the early response to citrus scab, whereas gibberellic and abscisic acids participate in symptom development.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.223-233
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• 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate the suppressive effects of the bio-sulfur used by eco-friendly farms on the outbreak of citrus scab. To evaluate the inhibiting effect of bio-sulfur on citrus scab germ tube growth, the citrus scab pathogen Elsinoe fawcettiiwas cultured in PDB and agar media, and germ tube growth was observed after bio-sulfur treatment. At both 40 and 88 h after inoculation, germ tube formation was inhibited by 500-, 1000-, and 2000-fold diluted bio-sulfur, and at dilutions above 4000-fold, germ tube formation was observed, although growth was still inhibited, when compared to untreated cultures. Meanwhile, the occurrence of citrus scab on spring-flush leaves in the field was 40.3% in the untreated control and 5.3, 10.3, 12.3, 15.3, and 24.0% when treated with imibenconazole, 2-4 and 6-6 lime-Bordeaux mixtures, which are also used by eco-friendly farms, 500-fold diluted bio-sulfur, lime sulfur, and 1000-fold diluted bio-sulfur, respectively. The occurrence of citrus scab on citrus fruit was 79.3% in the untreated control and 4.0, 33.8, 42.0, 43.3, 44.8, and 78.0% when treated with imibenconazole, 2-4 lime-Bordeaux mixture, 6-6 lime-Bordeaux mixture, 500-fold diluted bio-sulfur, lime sulfur, and 1000-fold diluted bio-sulfur, respectively. Because citrus scab can infect citrus leaves as early as May, as the spring flush begins, preventative control should be implemented by mid- to late-April, thereby increase disease control and reducing both labor and farming costs.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.231-234
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• 2015

Elsinoe fawcettii and E. australis are two currently recognized scab pathogens of citrus. E. fawcettii has at least six pathotypes while E. australis has at least two pathotypes. Colonies of E. fawcettii and E. australis do not sporulate in artificial media including potato dextrose agar (PDA). Whiteside's method has been widely used for preparing conidial inoculum in vitro. This study was carried out to develop efficient method for conidia production from artificial media. We developed a shaking method which included the following steps: 1) Colony grown on PDA was mashed with a steel spatula; 2) Mycelia fragments were cultured in 50 ml sterilized rain water in a rotary shaker-incubator (180 rpm) at $25^{\circ}C$ for 24 h: 3) The conidia suspension was filtered through two layers of cheesecloth. Average conidia production of all isolates tested using this shaking method was approximately 13.1 times higher than that from Whiteside's method in this study.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Elsinoe fawcettii causing citrus scab was suppressed by rhizobacterial strains such as Burkholderia gladioli MRL408-3, TRH423-3 and Pseudomonas fluorescens THJ609-3, TRH415-2 having antifungal activity. The leaf surface of Satsuma mandarin, which was pre-treated with the rhizobacterial strains, was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after inoculation with E. fawcettii. The number of lesions was reduced on the leaves pre-treated with the rhizobacterial strains compared to those of untreated leaves. Especially, the lesions numbers was apparently reduced on the leaves pre-treated with B. gladioli MRL408-3. The observation by SEM revealed that not only the germination rate but also the length of germ tube of the pathogen were decreased on the rhizobacterial strains pre-treated leaves. These inhibition of the fungal growth was more strongly expressed on the leaves pre-treated with commercial fungicide imibenconazole, by which the lesions was rarely found on the leaves. Based on these results, it was suggested that rhizobacterial strains may inhibit the germination and growth of the E. fawcettii on the surface of citrus leaves, resulting in decrease of disease severity.