Genome-scale phylogenies reveal relationships among Parastagonospora species infecting domesticated and wild grasses

Two new species of Parastagonospora and a new species of Phaeoseptoriella (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from grasslands in Yunnan Province, China

During our investigation of microfungi on grasslands in Yunnan Province, China, three new fungal taxa associated with grasses were collected. Morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of the combined SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1-α, and rpb2 loci based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were used to reveal the taxonomic placement of these fungal taxa. This study introduces Parastagonosporayunnanensis, Para.zhaotongensis, Phaeoseptoriellapoaceicola. Parastagonosporayunnanensis is characterized by ampulliform or globose to subglobose conidiogenous cells, with conidia that are cylindrical to subcylindrical, 0-1-septate, rounded at the apex and slightly truncate at the base. Parastagonosporazhaotongensis features similar globose to subglobose conidiogenous cells but with 0-3-septate, cylindrical to subcylindrical conidia. Phaeoseptoriellapoaceicola is distinguished by its globose to subglobose conidiogenous cells and phragmosporous conidia that are initially hyaline, turn pale yellowish at maturity, and are 7-septate, cylindrical to subcylindrical, either straight or slightly curved. These discoveries underscore the significance of exploring and accurately identifying fungal taxa within Ascomycota, highlighting the species richness and potential for new species discoveries in grass-based habitats. The findings from this study expand our understanding of the taxonomy and phylogeny of grassland-associated Ascomycota, providing a foundation for further ecological and taxonomic studies of these fungi within their natural environments.

What are the 100 most cited fungal genera?

The global diversity of fungi has been estimated between 2 to 11 million species, of which only about 155 000 have been named. Most fungi are invisible to the unaided eye, but they represent a major component of biodiversity on our planet, and play essential ecological roles, supporting life as we know it. Although approximately 20 000 fungal genera are presently recognised, the ecology of most remains undetermined. Despite all this diversity, the mycological community actively researches some fungal genera more commonly than others. This poses an interesting question: why have some fungal genera impacted mycology and related fields more than others? To address this issue, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to identify the top 100 most cited fungal genera. A thorough database search of the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed was performed to establish which genera are most cited. The most cited 10 genera are Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Botrytis, Pichia, Cryptococcus and Alternaria. Case studies are presented for the 100 most cited genera with general background, notes on their ecology and economic significance and important research advances. This paper provides a historic overview of scientific research of these genera and the prospect for further research. Citation: Bhunjun CS, Chen YJ, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald JZ, McKenzie EHC, Francisco EC, Frisvad JC, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-ard J, Perrone G, Visagie CM, Bai FY, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza FA, de Queiroz MB, Dutta AK, Gonkhom D, Goto BT, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance MA, Li JJ, Luo KY, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe DN, Wang DQ, Wei DP, Zhao CL, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes TD, Araujo JC, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa RN, Behrens FH, Bensch K, Bezerra JDP, Bilański P, Bradley CA, Bubner B, Burgess TI, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça FJS, Campbell LJ, Chaverri P, Chen YY, Chethana KWT, Coetzee B, Costa MM, Chen Q, Custódio FA, Dai YC, Damm U, de Azevedo Santiago ALCM, De Miccolis Angelini RM, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake AJ, Doilom M, Dong W, Alvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake AJ, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes AAM, Hausner G, He MQ, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena RS, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin CG, Liu JK, Liu XB, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Makhathini Mkhwanazi GJ, Manawasinghe IS, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart AR, Moreau PA, Morozova OV, Mostert L, Osiewacz HD, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips AJL, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka AR, Rodrigues AM, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe SJ, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas RG, Silar P, Souza-Motta CM, Silva-Filho AGS, Spies CFJ, Stchigel AM, Sterflinger K, Summerbell RC, Svetasheva TY, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro RC, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang XW, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe SN, Wu F, Xu R, Yang ZL, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao RL, Zhou N, Hyde KD, Crous PW (2024). What are the 100 most cited fungal genera? Studies in Mycology 108: 1-411. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.108.01.

Soft wheat cultivars grown in the Saratov region and their resistance to Septoria blotch

Septoria is one of the harmful diseases of wheat cultivars cultivated in the Saratov region. This infectious disease of fungal etiology limits yield indicators and rapidly progresses in many regions of the Russian Federation. The aim of the research was to assess the resistance of winter and spring wheat cultivars that are referred to as promising and recommended for cultivation in the Low Volga region of the Russian Federation to pathogens of Septoria, to study the populations of Parastagonospora nodorum and P. pseudonodorum in the territory of the Saratov region in order to detect the presence of effector genes. Using molecular markers, we performed the identification of genes encoding NEs in 220 Parastagonospora spp. fungal isolates obtained from 7 cultivars of soft winter wheat, 6 taken from the winter triticale, 5 from soft spring wheat, 3 from durum spring wheat and 1 from spring oats. Among the P. nodorum isolates studied, there were both single genes Tox1, Tox3, and ToxA, and combinations of two genes in one genotype. The presence of the ToxA gene was not noted in the genotype of P. pseudonodorum isolates. During 2020-2022, a collection of winter and spring wheat cultivars was studied to detect resistance to Septoria blotch in field conditions (13 cultivars of winter wheat and 7 cultivars of spring wheat accordingly). The resistance of the cultivars was proven by laboratory evaluation. Three inoculums were used, including the isolates of Z. tritici, P. nodorum (ToxA, Tox1, Tox3), P. pseudonodorum (ToxA, Tox1, Tox3) mainly obtained from Saratov populations of 2022 (except for P. pseudonodorum with the ToxA gene). The tested cultivars were characterized using the Xfcp623 molecular marker, diagnostic for Tsn1/ tsn1 genes, which controls sensitivity to the fungal toxin of PtrToxA. Of greatest interest are 11 wheat genotypes that showed resistance to one, two and three species which served as causative agents of Septoria blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici, P. nodorum, P. pseudonodorum). These are the soft winter wheat cultivars Gostianum 237 (tsn1), Lutescens 230 (Tsn1), Guberniya (Tsn1), Podruga (Tsn1), Anastasia (Tsn1), Sosedka (Tsn1) and the soft spring wheat cultivars Favorit (tsn1), Prokhorovka (tsn1), Saratovskaya 70 (tsn1), Saratovskaya 73 (tsn1), Belyanka (tsn1). The results obtained are of interest as they might increase the efficiency of selection based on the elimination of genotypes with dominant Tsn1 alleles sensitive to PtrToxA. In addition to the economic value of the cultivars studied, it is recommended to use them in breeding for resistance to Septoria blotch.

Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes

The current list of Chinese quarantine pests includes 130 fungal species. However, recent changes in the taxonomy of fungi following the one fungus = one name initiative and the implementation of DNA phylogeny in taxonomic revisions, resulted in many changes of these species names, necessitating an update of the current list. In addition, many quarantine fungi lack modern morphological descriptions and authentic DNA sequences, posing significant challenges for the development of diagnostic protocols. The aim of the present study was to review the taxonomy and names of the 33 Chinese quarantine fungi in Dothideomycetes, and provide reliable DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification. Of these, 23 names were updated according to the single name nomenclature system, including one new combination, namely Cophinforma tumefaciens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis tumefaciens). On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, a new genus Xenosphaeropsis is introduced to accommodate the monotypic species Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens), the causal agent of a post-harvest disease of pears. Furthermore, four lectotypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Mycosphaerella ligulicola, Physalospora laricina, Sphaeria lingam), three epitypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Phoma lycopersici, Sphaeria lingam), and two neotypes (Ascochyta pinodella, Deuterophoma tracheiphila) are designated to stabilise the use of these names. A further four reference strains are introduced for Cophinforma tumefaciens, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, and Septoria linicola. In addition, to assist future studies on these important pathogens, we sequenced and assembled whole genomes for 17 species, including Alternaria triticina, Boeremia foveata, B. lycopersici, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Didymella glomerata, Didymella pinodella, Diplodia mutila, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, Neofusicoccum laricinum, Parastagonospora pseudonodorum, Plenodomus libanotidis, Plenodomus lingam, Plenodomus tracheiphilus, Septoria petroselini, Stagonosporopsis chrysanthemi, and Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens. Citation: Zhao P, Crous PW, Hou LW, et al. 2021. Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes. Persoonia 47: 45-105. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.02.