A double-stranded RNA mycovirus confers hypovirulence-associated traits to Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea CCg425 contains a 33-nm isometric mycovirus whose genome is a 6.8-kb double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule. Virulence bioassays, performed by direct plug mycelial inoculation on bean plant leaves, showed that B. cinerea CCg425 displays less fungal aggressivity than B. cinerea CKg54, a virulent fungal strain that is not infected by dsRNA mycoviruses. B. cinerea CCg425 also showed lower laccase activity and conidiation rate than B. cinerea CKg54. Furthermore, infection of B. cinerea CKg54 with viral particles purified from B. cinerea CCg425 resulted in diminished virulence of the infected fungus. Collectively, our results indicate that mycovirus infection confers hypovirulence to the fungal host.