Horizontal Chromosome Transfer between Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum Strains Isolated from Cabbage

Area of Science:

• * Molecular biology
• * Plant pathology
• * Fungal genetics

Background:

• * Horizontal chromosome transfer (HCT) is a known phenomenon in Fusarium oxysporum.
• * Non-pathogenic strains like Fo47 primarily act as recipients in HCT.
• * The recipient potential of other non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strains remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate if the non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strain 08C-3B can act as a recipient of mobile chromosomes.
• * To determine the effect of acquired chromosomes on the recipient strain's growth and pathogenicity.
• * To assess the potential of the HCT progeny strain to act as a chromosome donor.

Main Methods:

• * Conducted HCT experiments using pathogenic F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans strain Cong:1-1 as donor and non-pathogenic strain 08C-3B as recipient.
• * Utilized a conidial anastomosis tube (CAT) fusion-inductive medium to facilitate HCT.
• * Analyzed HCT progeny for the presence of donor scaffolds (SCs) and assessed colony growth and pathogenicity on cabbage.

Main Results:

• * HCT was detected between Cong:1-1 and 08C-3B, resulting in progeny carrying SCs 8 and 9 from Cong:1-1.
• * HCT progeny exhibited reduced colony growth on potato dextrose agar.
• * The HCT progeny did not cause symptoms on cabbage, indicating acquired chromosomes did not restore virulence.
• * The HCT progeny strain did not transfer acquired chromosomes to other strains, suggesting it is not a donor.

Conclusions:

• * The non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strain 08C-3B can act as a recipient in HCT.
• * Acquisition of SC8 and/or SC9 from Cong:1-1 does not confer virulence to 08C-3B and may hinder vegetative growth.
• * Strain 08C-3B does not appear to function as a donor for mobile chromosomes after HCT.