Identification of Molecular Marker and Aggressiveness for Different Groups of Bipolaris sorokiniana Isolates Causing Spot Blotch Disease in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Phylogeographic Diversity Analysis of Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker Causing Spot Blotch Disease in Wheat and Barley

Bipolaris sorokiniana is a fungal pathogen that infects wheat, barley, and other crops, causing spot blotch disease. The disease is most common in humid, warm, wheat-growing regions, with South Asia's Eastern Gangetic Plains serving as a hotspot. There is very little information known about its genetic variability, demography, and divergence period. The current work is the first to study the phylogeographic patterns of B. sorokiniana isolates obtained from various wheat and barley-growing regions throughout the world, with the goal of elucidating the demographic history and estimating divergence times. In this study, 162 ITS sequences, 18 GAPDH sequences, and 74 TEF-1α sequences from B. sorokiniana obtained from the GenBank, including 21 ITS sequences produced in this study, were used to analyse the phylogeographic pattern of distribution and evolution of B. sorokiniana infecting wheat and barley. The degrees of differentiation among B. sorokiniana sequences from eighteen countries imply the presence of a broad and geographically undifferentiated global population. The study provided forty haplotypes. The H_1 haplotype was identified to be the ancestral haplotype, followed by H_29 and H_27, with H_1 occupying a central position in the median-joining network and being shared by several populations from different continents. The phylogeographic patterns of species based on multi-gene analysis, as well as the predominance of a single haplotype, suggested that human-mediated dispersal may have played a significant role in shaping this pathogen's population. According to divergence time analysis, haplogroups began at the Plio/Pleistocene boundary.

Occurrence of Spot Blotch in Spring Barley Caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana Shoem. in South-Eastern Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the second most important cereal crop after wheat, with an annual production of approximately 1.9 million tons. The study aimed to characterize Bipolaris sorokiniana isolates obtained from barley fields surveyed. A total of 21 diseased leaves showing spot blotch symptoms were collected from experimental plots located close to the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Crop Production, where the spring barley Arna cultivar was planted in June 2020. The overall strategy for control of spring barley blotch in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan should include the determination of the aggressiveness of the pathogen isolates to better understand the biology of the diseases and ultimately proper control strategy. Pathogenicity of B. sorokiniana isolates was made on barley seedlings in vitro. Inoculated seedlings showed clear symptoms of B. sorokiniana, and therefore, Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolating the pathogen from artificially inoculated seedlings and identifying it based on standard morphology criteria. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of B. sorokiniana on barley production in Kazakhstan.

Molecular diversity, haplotype distribution and genetic variation flow of Bipolaris sorokiniana fungus causing spot blotch disease in different wheat-growing zones

Bipolaris sorokiniana (BS) is an economically important fungal pathogen causing spot blotch of wheat (Trtiticum aestivum) and found in all wheat-growing zones of India. Very scanty and fragmentary information is available on its genetic diversity. The current research is the first detailed report on the geographic distribution and evolution of BS population in five geographically distinct wheat-growing zones (North Western Plain Zone (NWPZ), North Eastern Plain zone (NEPZ), North Hill Zone (NHZ), Southern Hill Zone (SHZ) and Peninsular Zone (PZ)) of India, studied by performing nucleotide sequence comparison of internal transcribed spacer region of 528 isolates. A moderate to low levels of haplotypic diversity was noticed in different wheat-growing zones. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that B. sorokiniana exist in two distinct lineages as all isolates under study were grouped in two different clades and found analogous to the findings of haplotypic and TCS network analysis. The genetic parameters revealed the existence of 40 haplotypes with three major haplotypes (H-1, H-2 and H-3) which showed star-like structure network surrounded by several single haplotypes, revealing high frequency of the mutations (Eta = 2 - 158) in total analyzed population. H-1 was observed as a predominant haplotype and prevalent in all the five zones. Moderate level of genetic differentiation was found between NHZ and other zones like NWPZ (F_st = 0.332) and SHZ (F_st = 0.382) and PZ (F_st = 0.299), whereas it was low between NEPZ and PZ (F_st = 0.034). Higher transfer rate of genetic variation was noticed between NEPZ and PZ (N_m = 7.06), while it was found minimum between NHZ and SHZ (N_m = 0.40). Moreover, negative score of neutrality statistics (Tajima's D and Fu's FS test) for NWPZ population suggested recent population expansion. However, positive score for both the neutrality tests observed in NEPZ indicated the dominance of balancing selection in structuring their population. Recombination events were observed in the NWPZ and NHZ population, while it was absent in SHZ, NEPZ and PZ population. Thus, the lack of any specific genetic population structure in all the zones indicates for the expansion history only from one common source population, i.e. NWPZ, a mega zone of wheat production in India. Overall, it seems that the predominance of individual haplotypes with a moderate level of genetic variation and human-mediated movement of contaminated seed and dispersal of inoculum, mutations and recombination as prime evolutionary processes play essential role in defining the genetic structure of BS population.

Monitoring of Host Suitability and Defense-Related Genes in Wheat to Bipolaris sorokiniana

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a destructive disease of wheat worldwide. This study investigated the aggressiveness of B. sorokiniana isolates from different wheat-growing areas of Bolu province in Turkey on the cultivar Seri-82. Host susceptibility of 55 wheat cultivars was evaluated against the most aggressive isolate. Our results indicated that the cultivars Anafarta and Koç-2015 were the most resistant. A specific and sensitive qPCR assay was developed for detecting the pathogen in plant tissues and evaluating wheat plants with different resistance levels. Three primer sets, BsGAPDHF/BsGAPDHR, BsITSF/BsITSR, and BsSSUF/BsSSUR, were designed based on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, internal transcribed spacers, and 18S rRNA loci of B. sorokiniana with detection limits of 1, 0.1, and 0.1 pg of pathogen DNA, respectively. The qPCR assay was highly sensitive and did not amplify DNA from the other closely related fungal species and host plants. The protocol differentiated wheat plants with varying degrees of resistance. The assay developed a useful tool for the quantification of the pathogen in the early stages of infection and may provide a significant contribution to a more efficient selection of wheat genotypes in breeding studies. In the present study, expression levels of PR proteins, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes were upregulated in Anafarta (resistant) and Nenehatun (susceptible) cultivars at different post-infection time points, but more induced in the susceptible cultivar. The results showed considerable variation in the expression levels and timing of defense genes in both cultivars.

Identification and fine mapping of spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) resistance gene Sb4 in wheat

A new spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) resistance gene Sb4 was mapped in a genomic interval of 1.34 Mb on wheat chromosome 4BL. Spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, has emerged as a serious concern for cultivation of wheat in warmer and humid regions of the world, which results in substantial yield losses and descends with quality. In this study, we identified and mapped a spot blotch resistance gene, designated as Sb4, against B. sorokiniana in wheat. Bulked segregant RNA-Seq (BSR-Seq) analysis and single-nucleotide polymorphism mapping showed that Sb4 is located on the long arm of chromosome 4B. A genetic linkage map of Sb4 was constructed using an F₄ mapping population developed from the cross between 'GY17' and 'Zhongyu1211,' and Sb4 was delimited in a 7.14-cM genetic region on 4BL between markers B6811 and B6901. Using the Chinese Spring reference sequences of chromosome arm 4BL, 13 new polymorphic markers were developed. Finally, Sb4 was mapped in a 1.19-cM genetic interval corresponding to a 1.34-Mb physical genomic region of Chinese Spring chromosome 4BL containing 21 predicted genes. This study provides a foundational step for further cloning of Sb4 using a map-based approach.

Evaluation of Pathogenic Variability Based on Leaf Blotch Disease Development Components of Bipolaris sorokiniana in Triticum aestivum and Agroclimatic Origin

Leaf blotch of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a major constraint to wheat production, causing significant yield reduction resulting in severe economic impact. The present study characterizes to determine and compare pathogenic variability exist/not based on components of leaf blotch disease development and level of aggressiveness due to agroclimatic condition of B. sorokiniana in wheat. A total of 169 virulent isolates of B. sorokiniana isolated from spot blotch infected leaf from different wheat growing agroclimate of Bangladesh. Pathogenic variability was investigated on a susceptible wheat variety 'kanchan' now in Bangladesh. A clear evidence of positive relationship among the components was recorded. From hierarchical cluster analysis five groups were originating among the isolates. It resolved that a large amount of pathogenic diversity exists in Bipolaris sorokiniana. Variation in aggressiveness was found among the isolates from different wheat growing areas. Most virulent isolates BS 24 and BS 33 belonging to High Ganges River Flood Plain agro-climatic zones considered by rice-wheat cropping pattern, hot and humid weather, high land and low organic matter content in soil. Positive relationship was found between pathogenic variability and aggressiveness with agro-climatic condition.

Genome-wide characterization of cellulases from the hemi-biotrophic plant pathogen, Bipolaris sorokiniana, reveals the presence of a highly stable GH7 endoglucanase

BACKGROUND

Bipolaris sorokiniana is a filamentous fungus that causes spot blotch disease in cereals like wheat and has severe economic consequences. However, information on the identities and role of the cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDE) in B. sorokiniana is very limited. Several fungi produce CWDE like glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) that help in host cell invasion. To understand the role of these CWDE in B. sorokiniana, the first step is to identify and annotate all possible genes of the GH families like GH3, GH6, GH7, GH45 and AA9 and then characterize them biochemically.

RESULTS

We confirmed and annotated the homologs of GH3, GH6, GH7, GH45 and AA9 enzymes in the B. sorokiniana genome using the sequence and domain features of these families. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses of these homologs revealed that the transcripts of the BsGH7-3 (3rd homolog of the GH 7 family in B. sorokiniana) were most abundant. BsGH7-3, the gene of BsGH7-3, was thus cloned into pPICZαC Pichia pastoris vector and expressed in X33 P. pastoris host to be characterized. BsGH7-3 enzyme showed a temperature optimum of 60 °C and a pH_opt of 8.1. BsGH7-3 was identified to be an endoglucanase based on its broad substrate specificity and structural comparisons with other such endoglucanases. BsGH7-3 has a very long half-life and retains 100% activity even in the presence of 4 M NaCl, 4 M KCl and 20% (v/v) ionic liquids. The enzyme activity is stimulated up to fivefold in the presence of Mn⁺² and Fe⁺² without any deleterious effects on enzyme thermostability.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we reanalysed the B. sorokiniana genome and selected one GH7 enzyme for further characterization. The present work demonstrates that BsGH7-3 is an endoglucanase with a long half-life and no loss in activity in the presence of denaturants like salt and ionic liquids, and lays the foundation towards exploring the Bipolaris genome for other cell wall-degrading enzymes.

Fine genetic mapping of spot blotch resistance gene Sb3 in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Spot blotch disease resistance gene Sb3 was mapped to a 0.15 centimorgan (cM) genetic interval spanning a 602 kb physical genomic region on chromosome 3BS. Wheat spot blotch disease, caused by B. sorokiniana, is a devastating disease that can cause severe yield losses. Although inoculum levels can be reduced by planting disease-free seed, treatment of plants with fungicides and crop rotation, genetic resistance is likely to be a robust, economical and environmentally friendly tool in the control of spot blotch. The winter wheat line 621-7-1 confers immune resistance against B. sorokiniana. Genetic analysis indicates that the spot blotch resistance of 621-7-1 is controlled by a single dominant gene, provisionally designated Sb3. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) mapping showed that Sb3 is located on chromosome arm 3BS linked with markers Xbarc133 and Xbarc147. Seven and twelve new polymorphic markers were developed from the Chinese Spring 3BS shotgun survey sequence contigs and 3BS reference sequences, respectively. Finally, Sb3 was mapped in a 0.15 cM genetic interval spanning a 602 kb physical genomic region of Chinese Spring chromosome 3BS. The genetic and physical maps of Sb3 provide a framework for map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the spot blotch resistance.

Genetic diversity among monoconidial and polyconidial isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a destructive disease of wheat in warm and humid wheat-growing regions of the world. This fungus shows a high genetic diversity and morphological and physiologic variability. In this study, 19 polysporic and 57 monosporic isolates of B. sorokiniana were characterized using universal rice primers-URP-PCR. The results obtained when the dendrogram was constructed with all the data produced with the amplification products showed very distinct clusters. However, the similarity among the isolates was low where 37 and 26.3 % of the monosporic and polysporic isolates, respectively, showed similarity above 70 %. All primers amplified multiple DNA fragments of polysporic as well as the monosporic isolates. Isolates fingerprints were constructed based on binary characters revealed by the three primers. An amplified fragment of approximately 750 bp was observed among 40 % of the isolates, when primer URP-1F was used. When primers URP-4R and URP-2R were used, a fragment of 450 and 400 bp was present in 31.5 and 29 % of the isolates, respectively. It was expected a higher similarity among the isolates since the monosporic cultures were originated from the polysporic. The dendrogram did not enable the separation of B. sorokiniana isolates by their geographic origin. This low correlation suggests that gene transfer may have occurred by parasexual combination in this fungus population. However, in spite of the research efforts for that end, it has not been possible to establish patterns that characterize the profile of B. sorokiniana.