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Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from grapes present different requirements for conidia germination
Milena Cotoras1, Carolina García, Leonora Mendoza
1Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40-Correo 33, Santiago-Chile. milena.cotoras@usach.cl
Mycologia
|June 20, 2009
Summary
Botrytis cinerea conidia germination varies among isolates. While all need a solid surface, isolate G11 germinates without nutrients, unlike G1 and G5, due to higher protein content.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Fungal Genetics
Background:
- Botrytis cinerea exhibits significant genotypic diversity, leading to variability in biological traits.
- This genetic variability may correlate with phenotypic differences in conidia germination requirements.
- Understanding germination variability is crucial for managing this grape pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the conidia germination requirements of three Botrytis cinerea isolates (G1, G5, G11) from grapes.
- To investigate the influence of nutritional factors, signaling molecules, and cellular processes on germination.
- To correlate conidial composition with differential germination capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of conidia germination under varying nutritional conditions (carbon/nitrogen sources).
- Pharmacological treatments using cAMP and EGTA (calcium chelator) to probe signaling pathways.
- Assessment of protein and RNA synthesis requirements for germination.
- Biochemical analysis of conidial content (sugars, mannitol/L-arabitol, trehalose, proteins).
Main Results:
- All isolates required contact with a solid surface for germination.
- Isolate G11 germinated without carbon or nitrogen, while G1 and G5 required a carbon source.
- Sucrose enhanced germination in isolates G5 and G11.
- cAMP stimulated germination in carbon-dependent isolates (G1, G5); EGTA inhibited G1 and G5 but not G11.
- Germination required protein synthesis but not RNA synthesis.
- Isolate G11 had twice the total protein content compared to G1 and G5.
Conclusions:
- Botrytis cinerea isolates display distinct nutritional requirements for conidia germination, linked to genotypic and phenotypic diversity.
- Differential germination capabilities, particularly G11's ability to germinate in water, are associated with higher intracellular protein reserves.
- Understanding these germination variations provides insights into fungal adaptation and survival strategies.
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