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Published on: May 5, 2023
Fungal Diversity in Field Mold-Damaged Soybean Fruits and Pathogenicity Identification Based on High-Throughput rDNA
Jiang Liu1,2,3, Jun-Cai Deng1,3, Cai-Qiong Yang1,2
1Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of AgricultureChengdu, China.
Abstract:
Continuous rain and an abnormally wet climate during harvest can easily lead to soybean plants being damaged by field mold (FM), which can reduce seed yield and quality. However, to date, the underlying pathogen and its resistance mechanism have remained unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the fungal diversity of various soybean varieties and to identify and confirm the FM pathogenic fungi. A total of 62,382 fungal ITS1 sequences clustered into 164 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with 97% sequence similarity; 69 taxa were recovered from the samples by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing. The fungal community compositions differed among the tested soybeans, with 42 OTUs being amplified from all varieties. The quadratic relationships between fungal diversity and organ-specific mildew indexes were analyzed, confirming that mildew on soybean pods can mitigate FM damage to the seeds. In addition, four potentially pathogenic fungi were isolated from FM-damaged soybean fruits; morphological and molecular identification confirmed these fungi as Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium moniliforme, and Penicillium chrysogenum. Further re-inoculation experiments demonstrated that F. moniliforme is dominant among these FM pathogenic fungi. These results lay the foundation for future studies on mitigating or preventing FM damage to soybean.
Insights
Field mold (FM) damages soybean yield and quality due to wet weather. This study identified key pathogenic fungi, including Fusarium moniliforme, and found pod mildew can protect seeds from FM damage.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Continuous rain and wet climates during harvest increase soybean susceptibility to field mold (FM).
- FM significantly reduces soybean seed yield and quality.
- The specific fungal pathogens causing FM and their resistance mechanisms remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fungal diversity in different soybean varieties.
- To identify and confirm the primary fungal pathogens responsible for FM.
- To explore potential resistance mechanisms against FM damage.
Main Methods:
- Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing was used to analyze fungal diversity.
- 62,382 fungal ITS1 sequences were clustered into 164 operational taxonomic units (OTUs).
- Morphological and molecular identification, along with re-inoculation experiments, were employed to confirm pathogenicity.
Main Results:
- Fungal community composition varied across soybean varieties, with 42 OTUs found in all samples.
- A quadratic relationship was observed between fungal diversity and organ-specific mildew indexes.
- Mildew on soybean pods was found to mitigate FM damage to seeds.
- Four pathogenic fungi were identified: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium moniliforme, and Penicillium chrysogenum.
- Fusarium moniliforme was confirmed as the dominant FM pathogen.
Conclusions:
- This research identifies key fungal pathogens contributing to soybean field mold.
- Pod mildew presents a potential mechanism for mitigating FM damage to soybean seeds.
- Findings provide a foundation for developing strategies to prevent or reduce FM impact on soybean production.
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