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Liu M, Sui Y, Yu C, Wang X, Zhang W, Wang B, Yan J, Duan L. Coronatine-Induced Maize Defense against Gibberella Stalk Rot by Activating Antioxidants and Phytohormone Signaling. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1155. [PMID: 38132756 PMCID: PMC10744721 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most destructive diseases, Gibberella stalk rot (GSR), caused by Fusarium graminearum, reduces maize yields significantly. An induced resistance response is a potent and cost-effective plant defense against pathogen attack. The functional counterpart of JAs, coronatine (COR), has attracted a lot of interest recently due to its ability to control plant growth and stimulate secondary metabolism. Although several studies have focused on COR as a plant immune elicitor to improve plant resistance to pathogens, the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of the suppressive ability against COR to F. graminearum in maize have been limited. We investigated the potential physiological and molecular mechanisms of COR in modulating maize resistance to F. graminearum. COR treatment strongly enhanced disease resistance and promoted stomatal closure with H2O2 accumulation, and 10 μg/mL was confirmed as the best concentration. COR treatment increased defense-related enzyme activity and decreased the malondialdehyde content with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. To identify candidate resistance genes and gain insight into the molecular mechanism of GSR resistance associated with COR, we integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data to systemically explore the defense mechanisms of COR, and multiple hub genes were pinpointed using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). We discovered 6 significant modules containing 10 candidate genes: WRKY transcription factor (LOC100279570), calcium-binding protein (LOC100382070), NBR1-like protein (LOC100275089), amino acid permease (LOC100382244), glutathione S-transferase (LOC541830), HXXXD-type acyl-transferase (LOC100191608), prolin-rich extensin-like receptor protein kinase (LOC100501564), AP2-like ethylene-responsive transcription factor (LOC100384380), basic leucine zipper (LOC100275351), and glycosyltransferase (LOC606486), which are highly correlated with the jasmonic acid-ethylene signaling pathway and antioxidants. In addition, a core set of metabolites, including alpha-linolenic acid metabolism and flavonoids biosynthesis linked to the hub genes, were identified. Taken together, our research revealed differentially expressed key genes and metabolites, as well as co-expression networks, associated with COR treatment of maize stems after F. graminearum infection. In addition, COR-treated maize had higher JA (JA-Ile and Me-JA) levels. We postulated that COR plays a positive role in maize resistance to F. graminearum by regulating antioxidant levels and the JA signaling pathway, and the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is also involved in the resistance response against GSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education & College of Agronomy, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yiping Sui
- Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education & College of Agronomy, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chunxin Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xuncheng Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Baomin Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education & College of Agronomy, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiye Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Liusheng Duan
- Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education & College of Agronomy, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Belisário R, Robertson AE, Vaillancourt LJ. Maize Anthracnose Stalk Rot in the Genomic Era. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:2281-2298. [PMID: 35291814 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-10-21-2147-fe] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) of maize results in millions of dollars in losses annually in the United States. ASR, together with anthracnose leaf blight and anthracnose top dieback, is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. Current ASR management recommendations emphasize host resistance and reduction of plant stressors (e.g., drought, heat, low fertility, or soil acidity). Stress reduction may be more difficult to achieve in the future due to more high-intensity production protocols and climate change. Moreover, cultural and chemical management practices may conflict with other important goals, including environmental sustainability and maximization of yield potential. Thus, future ASR management may rely more heavily on host resistance, for which there are relatively few highly effective sources. The last comprehensive review of C. graminicola and maize anthracnose was written over two decades ago. The genomic age has brought important new insights into mechanisms governing the host-pathogen interaction from the application of molecular and cytological technologies. This review provides a summary of our current model of maize anthracnose etiology, including how increased knowledge of molecular and cellular events could contribute to better ASR management. Improved understanding of C. graminicola taxonomy has confirmed that the fungus is specific to Zea mays, and that it colonizes living maize tissues via a critical biotrophic phase. Successful biotrophic establishment relies on an array of secreted protein effectors and secondary metabolites produced at different stages of infection and dispersed to multiple locations. These molecules could provide therapeutic targets for the next generation of transgenic or gene-edited ASR-resistant hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Belisário
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, 201F Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0312
| | - Alison E Robertson
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, 1344 Advanced Teaching and Research Building, 2213 Pammel Drive, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Lisa J Vaillancourt
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, 201F Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY 40546-0312
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Wang C, Yang Q, Wang W, Li Y, Guo Y, Zhang D, Ma X, Song W, Zhao J, Xu M. A transposon-directed epigenetic change in ZmCCT underlies quantitative resistance to Gibberella stalk rot in maize. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2017; 215:1503-1515. [PMID: 28722229 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A major resistance quantitative trait locus, qRfg1, significantly enhances maize resistance to Gibberella stalk rot, a devastating disease caused by Fusarium graminearum. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. We adopted a map-based cloning approach to identify the resistance gene at qRfg1 and examined the dynamic epigenetic changes during qRfg1-mediated maize resistance to the disease. A CCT domain-containing gene, ZmCCT, is the causal gene at the qRfg1 locus and a polymorphic CACTA-like transposable element (TE1) c. 2.4 kb upstream of ZmCCT is the genetic determinant of allelic variation. The non-TE1 ZmCCT allele is in a poised state, with predictive bivalent chromatin enriched for both repressive (H3K27me3/H3K9me3) and active (H3K4me3) histone marks. Upon pathogen challenge, this non-TE1 ZmCCT allele was promptly induced by a rapid yet transient reduction in H3K27me3/H3K9me3 and a progressive decrease in H3K4me3, leading to disease resistance. However, TE1 insertion in ZmCCT caused selective depletion of H3K4me3 and enrichment of methylated GC to suppress the pathogen-induced ZmCCT expression, resulting in disease susceptibility. Moreover, ZmCCT-mediated resistance to Gibberella stalk rot is not affected by photoperiod sensitivity. This chromatin-based regulatory mechanism enables ZmCCT to be more precise and timely in defense against F. graminearum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qin Yang
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weixiang Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technique in Agricultural Application, College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yipu Li
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanling Guo
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Dongfeng Zhang
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xuena Ma
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wei Song
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture & Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Jiuran Zhao
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture & Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Mingliang Xu
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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Venard C, Vaillancourt L. Penetration and colonization of unwounded maize tissues by the maize anthracnose pathogenColletotrichum graminicolaand the related nonpathogenC. sublineolum. Mycologia 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15572536.2007.11832561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - L. Vaillancourt
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, 201F Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40546
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Wang CL, Shim WB, Shaw BD. The Colletotrichum graminicola striatin orthologue Str1 is necessary for anastomosis and is a virulence factor. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2016; 17:931-42. [PMID: 26576029 PMCID: PMC6638439 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Striatin family proteins are key regulators in signalling pathways in fungi and animals. These scaffold proteins contain four conserved domains: a caveolin-binding domain, a coiled-coil motif and a calmodulin-binding domain at the N-terminus, and a WD-repeat domain at the C-terminus. Fungal striatin orthologues are associated with sexual development, hyphal growth and plant pathogenesis. In Fusarium verticillioides, the striatin orthologue Fsr1 promotes virulence in the maize stalk. The relationship between fungal striatins and pathogenicity remains largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that the Colletotrichum graminicola striatin orthologue Str1 is required for full stalk rot and leaf blight virulence in maize. Pathogenicity assays show that the striatin mutant strain (Δstr1) produces functional appressoria, but infection and colonization are attenuated. Additional phenotypes of the Δstr1 mutant include reduced radial growth and compromised hyphal fusion. In comparison with the wild-type, Δstr1 also shows a defect in sexual development and produces fewer and shorter conidia. Together with the fact that F. verticillioides fsr1 can complement Δstr1, our results indicate that C. graminicola Str1 shares five phenotypes with striatin orthologues in other fungal species: hyphal growth, hyphal fusion, conidiation, sexual development and virulence. We propose that fungal striatins, like mammalian striatins, act as scaffolding molecules that cross-link multiple signal transduction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Li Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2132, TX, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Won-Bo Shim
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2132, TX, USA
| | - Brian D Shaw
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2132, TX, USA
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Bacon CW, Glenn AE, Yates IE. FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES: MANAGING THE ENDOPHYTIC ASSOCIATION WITH MAIZE FOR REDUCED FUMONISINS ACCUMULATION. TOXIN REV 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/15569540802497889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Afolabi CG, Ojiambo PS, Ekpo EJA, Menkir A, Bandyopadhyay R. Novel Sources of Resistance to Fusarium Stalk Rot of Maize in Tropical Africa. PLANT DISEASE 2008; 92:772-780. [PMID: 30769599 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-92-5-0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium stalk rot is one of the most widespread and destructive diseases of maize, and deployment of resistant genotypes is one of the most effective strategies for controlling the disease. Fifty inbred lines and four checks from the breeding program of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture were evaluated in field trials at Ikenne and Ibadan, Nigeria in 2003 and 2004 to identify new sources of resistance to stalk rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides. Evaluations were conducted under artificial inoculation and natural infection at Ibadan and Ikenne, respectively. Disease severity was recorded using a severity scale (SS) and direct estimation of stalk discoloration (SD). The two methods of disease assessment were compared and combined to classify genotypes into resistance groups using results from rank-sum analysis. In 2003, disease severity ranged from SS = 1 to 5 and SD = 1.3 to 33.8% at both locations. Both SS and SD were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in 2003 than in 2004 at the two locations. In both years, inbred lines significantly differed in SS (P < 0.02) and SD (P < 0.04) at Ibadan. Similarly, inbred lines significantly differed in SS (P < 0.04) and SD (P < 0.04) when genotypes were evaluated at Ikenne. Disease assessments based on SS and SD were significantly correlated (0.68 < r < 0.95, P < 0.01) in both years. Based on the results from rank-sum analysis, inbred lines were separated into highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible, and highly susceptible groups. At Ibadan, 6 (11.1%) and 8 (14.8%) were identified as highly resistant and resistant, respectively, whereas 11 (20.4%) were identified as resistant at Ikenne. Inbred lines 02C14609, 02C14643, 02C14654, and 02C14678 were consistently classified as either highly resistant or resistant to stalk rot across locations and years while the check genotypes were classified either as susceptible or moderately susceptible to stalk rot. These four inbred lines identified to have high levels of disease resistance may be used for breeding maize with resistance to Fusarium stalk rot.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Afolabi
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria and Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - P S Ojiambo
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695
| | - E J A Ekpo
- Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
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Venard C, Vaillancourt L. Colonization of Fiber Cells by Colletotrichum graminicola in Wounded Maize Stalks. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2007; 97:438-447. [PMID: 18943284 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-97-4-0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Colonization of wounded maize stalks by a wild-type strain of Colletotrichum graminicola was compared with colonization by a C. graminicola mutant that is avirulent on maize leaves, and by a wild-type strain of C. sublineolum that is normally a pathogen of sorghum but not maize. Local infection by all strains at the wound site resulted in formation of primary lesions consisting of disintegrated parenchyma cells beneath an intact rind and epidermis. However, subsequent rapid longitudinal expansion of the primary lesion occurred only in infections with the wild-type C. graminicola strain, and proceeded specifically through the fiber cells associated with the vascular bundles and the rind. Hyphae emerged from the fiber cells to produce discontinuous secondary lesions. There was no evidence that C. graminicola is a vascular wilt pathogen. Resistance of wounded cv. Jubilee maize stalks to the mutant strain of C. graminicola and to C. sublineolum was associated with restriction of colonization and spread of the pathogen through the fibers, as well as with the limitation of localized destruction of parenchyma cells at the wound site.
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Dalmacio SC, Lugod TR, Serrano EM, Munkvold GP. Reduced Incidence of Bacterial Rot on Transgenic Insect-Resistant Maize in the Philippines. PLANT DISEASE 2007; 91:346-351. [PMID: 30781173 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-91-4-0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the Philippines and parts of Southeast Asia, Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) is a serious pest of maize, and injury from this insect often is associated with the occurrence of bacterial stalk and ear rot (caused by Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. zeae). The effect of transgenic insect protection on the incidence of bacterial stalk and ear rot was studied in the Philippines with seven field trials in Mindanao and two trials in Laguna. Three transgenic hybrids (expressing Bt protein Cry1Ab) and their conventional near-isogenic counterparts were included in Mindanao, and one transgenic/conventional hybrid pair was used in Laguna (Los Banos). In the Mindanao trials, bacterial stalk rot was rated on a 1 to 9 scale approximately 2 weeks before harvest, while in Laguna, bacterial rot mortality and bacterial ear rot incidence were assessed 10 days before and at harvest, respectively. In all trials, the number of Asian corn borer tunnels was assessed by splitting stalks at harvest. Results of the trials showed significant differences between the transgenic hybrids and their conventional counterparts in terms of bacterial stalk and ear rot incidence, number of Asian corn borer tunnels, and yield. Transgenic hybrids invariably showed significantly lower bacterial stalk rot mortality and ear rot incidence, no Asian corn borer infestation, and higher yield compared with their conventional counterparts. Average yield advantage of transgenic hybrids ranged from 1.2 to 5.1 t/ha. Results confirm the important role of Asian corn borer in the initiation and spread of bacterial stalk and ear rot in maize; hence, the use of transgenic insect-resistant hybrids will have an added value in areas where this disease is prevalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C Dalmacio
- Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, 24/F, Antel Global Corporate Center, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1600 PH
| | - Tomas R Lugod
- Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, 24/F, Antel Global Corporate Center, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 1600 PH
| | - Emmanuel M Serrano
- Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, Circumferential Rd., Purok 4, Katangawan, General Santos, 9500 PH
| | - Gary P Munkvold
- Iowa State University, Dept. of Plant Pathology, 160 Seed Science Center, Ames 50011
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Gatch EW, Munkvold GP. Fungal Species Composition in Maize Stalks in Relation to European Corn Borer Injury and Transgenic Insect Protection. PLANT DISEASE 2002; 86:1156-1162. [PMID: 30818511 DOI: 10.1094/pdis.2002.86.10.1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The maize stalk rot complex is comprised of several fungal pathogens, including Gibberella zeae, Colletotrichum graminicola, Stenocarpella maydis, and several members of the genus Fusarium. The European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis) can contribute to stalk rot development by creating entry wounds and by serving as a vector of some stalk rot pathogens, particularly Fusarium verticillioides. Transgenic insect protection of maize hybrids with insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis greatly reduces ECB injury and may therefore alter the species composition and diversity of the stalk rot complex. Field experiments were conducted in 1998, 1999, and 2000 to compare the species composition and diversity of fungi infecting stalks of Bt and non-Bt maize hybrids. Hybrids representing five Bt types (or "events") and their near-isogenic non-Bt counterparts were subjected to manual and natural infestations with ECB larvae. Stalk tissue samples were cultured to determine fungal species composition. At least one species was isolated from nearly every stalk and from both diseased and symptomless tissues. G. zeae was the most common species in 1998 and 1999, but C. graminicola was most common in 2000. The mean proportions of stalks infected with F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans were significantly lower in Bt hybrids than in non-Bt hybrids in 2 of the 3 years. Conversely, the mean proportion of stalks infected with G. zeae was higher in some Bt hybrids than their non-Bt counterparts in two of the three years. F. verticillioides was more likely to be isolated from ECB-injured tissue, whereas G. zeae and C. graminicola were more likely to be isolated from tissue not associated with ECB injury. The overall species diversity of the stalk rot complex was lower in some Bt hybrids compared with their non-Bt counterparts in 1998 and 1999. ECB activity appeared to alter fungal species composition in stalks, reflecting the association between ECB injury and specific stalk rot pathogens, particularly F. verticillioides. The species composition of fungi infecting stalks of Bt hybrids differed from that of non-Bt hybrids, but the implications of this result are not yet clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Gatch
- Department of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
| | - G P Munkvold
- Department of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
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