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Adhesion of Macroconidia to the Plant Surface and Virulence of Nectria haematococca

M J Jones1, L Epstein

  • 1Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|December 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Adhesion of Nectria haematococca macroconidia (fungal spores) to zucchini is crucial for infection. Mutants with reduced spore attachment showed less virulence on unwounded host surfaces, indicating adhesion is a key virulence factor.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nectria haematococca, the anamorph Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae, is a significant pathogen of cucurbits.
  • Spore attachment is a critical initial step in plant disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of macroconidial adhesion in the virulence of Nectria haematococca.
  • To identify mutants with defects in spore attachment.

Main Methods:

  • Chemical mutagenesis (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) was used to generate mutants.
  • Adhesion-deficient mutants were selected based on reduced attachment to polystyrene and zucchini fruits.
  • Virulence assays were performed on wounded and unwounded zucchini fruits.

Main Results:

  • Two adhesion-deficient mutants exhibited a ~50% reduction in macroconidial attachment.
  • These mutants were equally virulent to wild-type strains on wounded zucchini.
  • Mutants showed significantly reduced virulence on unwounded zucchini surfaces.

Conclusions:

  • Macroconidial adhesion to the host surface is a significant virulence factor for Nectria haematococca.
  • Adhesion plays a critical role in the initial colonization of unwounded host tissues.

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