Sequencing of non-virulent strains of Fusarium fujikuroi reveals genes putatively involved in bakanae disease of rice

Identification and Characterization of Fusarium fujikuroi Pathotypes Responsible for an Emerging Bakanae Disease of Rice in India

“…To correlate pathotype groups and virulence-related gene expression, three genes were selected from a previous study [ 29 ]. Expression patterns of three virulence-related genes, viz., acetylxylan ( FFAC ), exopolygalacturanase ( FFEX ), and pisatin demethylase ( FFPD ), were recorded across representative isolates of pathotype groups.…”

“…The disruption of the gene pisatin demethylase results in the loss of virulence in Nectria haematococca [ 38 ], and it is also a virulence factor in both F. oxysporum and F. solani [ 39 ]. These genes were validated through qPCR and expression was found highest in virulent strains of Fusarium fujikuroi as compared to less virulent or non-virulent strains, which showed low to no expression [ 29 ]. Based on disease severity as well as virulence-related gene expression, six pathotype groups were identified.…”

“…Three virulence-related genes were selected to correlate pathotype groups with virulence profiles [ 29 ]. Primers were designed through Primer3 Plus software ( , accessed on 2 May 2022).…”

“…Whole-genome sequencing of Fusarium fujikuroi isolate F250 revealed that secretory proteins and cell-wall-degrading enzymes play an important role in causing bakanae disease in rice [ 28 ]. Similarly, a putative gene involved in causing bakanae disease has been identified through the comparative sequencing of non-virulent and virulent Fusarium fujikuroi isolates [ 29 ]. The use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable method of plant disease management.…”

Sensitivity Testing of Natural Antifungal Agents on Fusarium fujikuroi to Investigate the Potential for Sustainable Control of Kiwifruit Leaf Spot Disease

“…It is a hemibiotrophic pathogen [ 16 ], belonging to the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex of pathogenic fungi, which can produce gibberellins and synthesise fumonisins and fusarin metabolites [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Fusarium fujikuroi is responsible for bakanae disease in rice [ 22 ], leaf spot in Lasia spinosa [ 23 ], and maize ear rot in corn [ 24 ], among others. The fungus was first reported to cause diseases in kiwifruit leaves in 2020 [ 25 ], and in May 2021, a kiwifruit with leaf spot disease was found in a kiwifruit plantation in Xifeng County, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China, with an incidence rate of approximately 23%.…”