The clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae: A profile update.
Muhammad Asim Javed1,2,3, Arne Schwelm4,5, Nazanin Zamani-Noor6
1Départment de phytologie, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Molecular Plant Pathology
|November 30, 2022
Summary
Clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, devastates cruciferous crops like rapeseed. Understanding its pathotypes and host interactions is crucial for developing effective resistance strategies against this global threat.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Agronomy
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Plasmodiophora brassicae is a major pathogen causing clubroot disease in cruciferous plants.
- This disease poses a significant threat to the global rapeseed (Brassica napus) and brassica vegetable industries.
- Symptoms include wilting, stunting, yellowing, and characteristic root galls that impede nutrient and water uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of Plasmodiophora brassicae, encompassing its taxonomy, distribution, and impact on agriculture.
- To summarize current knowledge on clubroot pathotyping systems and effector-resistance gene interactions.
- To highlight resources for ongoing research and management of clubroot disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Plasmodiophora brassicae and clubroot disease.
- Analysis of taxonomic classification and global distribution data.
- Synthesis of information on pathotyping, effector identification, and resistance mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Plasmodiophora brassicae (Woronin, 1877) belongs to the class Phytomyxea and is reported in over 80 countries worldwide.
- Multiple pathotyping systems exist, with the Canadian system identifying 36 pathotypes based on host differentials.
- While effectors like PbBSMT have been identified, avirulence genes remain unknown, complicating the study of resistance genes (NLRs).
Conclusions:
- Effective management of clubroot disease requires a deep understanding of pathogen diversity and host-pathogen interactions.
- Continued research into effectors and resistance genes is essential for breeding resistant crop varieties.
- Resources like the Canola Council of Canada's Canola Encyclopedia offer valuable, up-to-date information for stakeholders.
