Genetic characterization of a novelPhomopsissp., a putative biocontrol agent forCarthamus lanatus

Abstract

A large number of isolates of Phomopsis sp. have been collected from the weed Carthamus lanatus (saffron thistle) in Australia, and their potential as biological control agents for weeds of the Asteraceae has been demonstrated. An analysis of their genetic diversity and a multigene phylogenetic analysis were undertaken to ascertain whether these isolates were distinct from other species of Phomopsis that commonly attack crop species in Australia. Minimal variation was found between the Phomopsis spp. isolated from saffron thistle, except two isolates that appeared to share identity with Diaporthe helianthii and P. viticola. Analysis of the selected isolates from saffron thistle with the nucleotide sequence of the partial ITS and tefl-alpha regions demonstrated that the sequences were distinct from all other species of Phomopsis so far described from crops in Australia. These findings provide strong support for the recognition of these isolates as a separate species of Phomopsis. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to biological control of saffron thistle.

Phomentrioloxin: A Phytotoxic Pentasubstituted Geranylcyclohexentriol Produced by Phomopsis sp., a Potential Mycoherbicide for Carthamus lanatus Biocontrol

“…pathogenic to saffron thistle can be considered a new species. 8 Considering that the fungus causes elliptical necrosis on the stems resulting in plant death, the involvement of phytotoxins produced by the fungus in the disease development process has been assumed. Previous studies proved the inability of these strains 9 to produce the powerful mammalian mycotoxin phomopsin A, which is indeed produced by other Phomopsis sp., 10 but did not aim to ascertain the eventual production of other bioactive metabolites.…”

Caracterización morfológica y molecular de una colección de aislamientos de Phomopsis longicolla (teleomorfo desconocido: Diaporthales) de la región templada y subtropical de Argentina

“…Algunos Phomopsis endófitos fueron aislados de Magnolia liliflora (Familia Magnoliaceae), Panicum virgatum (Familia Poaceae), Vaccinium corymbosum y V. macrocarpon (arándanos) (F. Ericaceae), Prunus sp. (F. Rosaceae) y Carthamus lanatus (F. Asteraceae) entre otros (Farr, Castlebury, & Rossman, 2002;Promputtha, Jeewon, Lumyong, McKenzie, & Hyde, 2005;Ash et al, 2010;Linnakoski, Puhakka-Tarvainen, & Pappinen, 2012). Sin embargo, la definición de endófitos incluye, además, a aquellas especies patógenas que desarrollan una fase o período de latencia prolongada durante su ciclo de vida (Saikkonen, 2007;Sakadilis, Hardy, & Burgess, 2011).…”

Selection, isolation, and identification of fungi for bioherbicide production

“…Diaporthe spp. are often described as producers of enzymes and secondary metabolites 27 with the potential as antibiotics, 28 fungicides, 29 and anticancer agents, 30 as well as that for preventing herbivory and for biological control of weeds 31, 32. Ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethylbenzoate, phomopsilactone, 33 phomopxanthone A and B, 34 taxol, 30 phomopsichalasin, 35 lactones, 29 nonenolides, phomonol, phomotone, 36 and phomophene are some of the compounds produced by members of the genus.…”