image: Colletotrichum fructicola is a non-adapted fungus in Nicotiana benthamiana. A Disease lesions of pear fruits after C. fructicola inoculations. Conidia of C. fructicola were inoculated on ‘Dangshansuli’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.). Conidia buffer was infiltrated as a negative control. Disease lesions were observed and photographed every 12 hours post inoculation (hpi) within 48 h. B Phenotype of N. benthamiana leaves after inoculation of C. fructicola conidia. The leaves were inoculated with C. fructicola conidia by infiltration, and photographs showing both the front and the back sides were taken at 120 hpi. C Relative fungal biomass after inoculation of C. fructicola on pear host and N. benthamiana nonhost. Relative biomass was quantified by transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure the ratios of C. fructicola to pear or N. benthamiana DNA. PbrTubulin and NbActin were used as the internal references in pear and N. benthamiana, respectively. Differences were determined with Student’s t-test. Values are shown as means ± SD. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.
Credit: Horticulture Research
A pivotal study has shed light on the intricate mechanisms of nonhost resistance (NHR) in plants, a critical defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens. By identifying and characterizing four novel core effectors from the pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola, researchers have unveiled key players in the plant Nicotiana benthamiana's immune response. This discovery is set to transform approaches to plant disease management, offering a pathway to bolster crops against devastating fungal infections.
Plant diseases caused by pathogens like Colletotrichum fructicola lead to significant agricultural losses, particularly in fruit crops such as pear, apple, and peach. Traditional control methods often fail as pathogens adapt to plant defenses. Nonhost resistance (NHR) offers a promising alternative due to its robustness and broad-spectrum effectiveness. NHR occurs when a plant species is naturally resistant to pathogens affecting other species. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind NHR is crucial for developing sustainable and effective disease management strategies. Based on these challenges, exploring NHR mechanisms is essential for advancing agricultural resilience.
Researchers from Anhui Agricultural University, in collaboration with Northwest A&F University, have made a significant stride in understanding plant-pathogen interactions. Their findings (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae078), published in the journal Horticulture Research on March 14, 2024, reveal the role of novel core effectors in the nonhost Nicotiana benthamiana's response to the pear anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola.
The research team isolated a virulent strain of Colletotrichum fructicola from pear and studied its interaction with the nonhost plant Nicotiana benthamiana. They identified four novel core effectors—CfCE4, CfCE25, CfCE61, and CfCE66—using bioinformatics and agroinfiltration-mediated screening. These effectors were found to induce cell death and activate immune responses in N. benthamiana. The effectors' activity depends on the BAK1 coreceptor and helper NLRs (ADR1, NRG1, and NRCs). Further analysis showed that these core effectors trigger significant immune responses, enhancing the plant's resistance to the pathogen. This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of Colletotrichum fructicola core effectors, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of NHR and highlighting the potential for using these findings to develop new strategies for managing anthracnose disease in various horticultural crops.
Dr. Jiajun Nie, a corresponding author of the study, stated, "Our findings represent a significant advancement in understanding NHR. By identifying these core effectors, we can better comprehend how plants recognize and respond to pathogens, which is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies."
The identification of these core effectors offers valuable insights for developing resistant crops through genetic engineering and selective breeding. By leveraging the understanding of NHR, agricultural practices can be enhanced to mitigate the impact of pathogenic fungi, ensuring sustainable crop production and food security.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae078
Funding information
This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (32302301, U1903206) and the Talent Program of Anhui Agricultural University (rc342213).
About Horticulture Research
Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.
Journal
Horticulture Research
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Extracellular perception of multiple novel core effectors from the broad host-range pear anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola in the nonhost Nicotiana benthamiana
Article Publication Date
14-Mar-2024
COI Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.