More Cercospora Species Infect Soybeans across the Americas than Meets the Eye

Abstract

Diseases of soybean caused by Cercospora spp. are endemic throughout the world’s soybean production regions. Species diversity in the genus Cercospora has been underestimated due to overdependence on morphological characteristics, symptoms, and host associations. Currently, only two species (Cercospora kikuchii and C. sojina) are recognized to infect soybean; C. kikuchii causes Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) and purple seed stain (PSS), whereas C. sojina causes frogeye leaf spot. To assess cryptic speciation among pathogens causing CLB and PSS, phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were performed with isolates from the top three soybean producing countries (USA, Brazil, and Argentina; collectively accounting for ~80% of global production). Eight nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene were partially sequenced and analyzed. Additionally, amino acid substitutions conferring fungicide resistance were surveyed, and the production of cercosporin (a polyketide toxin produced by many Cercospora spp.) was assessed. From these analyses, the long-held assumption of C. kikuchii as the single causal agent of CLB and PSS was rejected experimentally. Four cercosporin-producing lineages were uncovered with origins (about 1 Mya) predicted to predate agriculture. Some of the Cercospora spp. newly associated with CLB and PSS appear to represent undescribed species; others were not previously reported to infect soybeans. Lineage 1, which contained the ex-type strain of C. kikuchii, was monophyletic and occurred in Argentina and Brazil. In contrast, lineages 2 and 3 were polyphyletic and contained wide-host range species complexes. Lineage 4 was monophyletic, thrived in Argentina and the USA, and included the generalist Cercospora cf. flagellaris. Interlineage recombination was detected, along with a high frequency of mutations linked to fungicide resistance in lineages 2 and 3. These findings point to cryptic Cercospora species as underappreciated global considerations for soybean production and phytosanitary vigilance, and urge a reassessment of host-specificity as a diagnostic tool for Cercospora.

Thermal Niches of Two Invasive Genotypes of the Wheat Curl Mite Aceria tosichella: Congruence between Physiological and Geographical Distribution Data

“…Since the studies leading to this outcome are relatively recent, the presence of different genotypes or species within the WCM complex has not yet been accounted for in applied contexts. Such oversights may have serious consequences, as cryptic species or genotypes within species complexes may differ with respect to key biological traits, such as host range, life-history traits, tolerance to abiotic factors, insecticide resistance, and ability to transmit plant viruses [ 12 – 18 ]. WCM is a complex of at least eight genetic lineages, with host-acceptance traits ranging from polyphagous to highly host-specific [ 9 , 19 ].…”

Draft Genome Sequence of Cercospora cf. sigesbeckiae , a Causal Agent of Cercospora Leaf Blight on Soybean

“…sigesbeckiae from leaves and Cercospora cf. flagellaris from seeds and leaves ( 1 , 2 ). Prior to 2015, most records of Cercospora cf.…”

“…Prior to 2015, most records of Cercospora cf. sigesbeckiae came from Asia ( 3 ), but recent studies also reported this pathogen from Argentina ( 2 ) and Louisiana, USA ( 1 ).…”

Comparative genomics and association analysis identifies virulence genes of Cercospora sojina in soybean

“…In 2009 and 2010, the disease spread rapidly throughout the main soybean producing areas in Heilongjiang province in China, causing serious losses to soybean production [4]. Further, the disease has dramatically impacted soybean production in the USA and Argentina [5,6].…”