Botrytisfragariae, a New Species Causing Gray Mold on Strawberries, Shows High Frequencies of Specific and Efflux-Based Fungicide Resistance

Abstract

causes pre- and postharvest decay of many fruit and vegetable crops. A survey of German strawberry fields revealed strains that differed from in diagnostic PCR markers and growth appearance. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these strains belong to an undescribed species in clade 2, named sp. nov. Isolates of were detected in strawberry fields throughout Germany, sometimes at frequencies similar to those of, and in the southeastern United States. was isolated from overwintering strawberry tissue but not from freshly infected fruit. invaded strawberry tissues with an efficiency similar to or lower than that of but showed poor colonization of inoculated nonhost plant tissues. These data and the exclusive occurrence of this fungus on strawberry plants indicate that is host specific and has a tissue preference different from that of Various fungicide resistance patterns were observed in populations. Many strains showed resistance to one or several chemical classes of fungicides and an efflux-based multidrug resistance (MDR1) phenotype previously described in Resistance-related mutations in were identical or similar to those of for carbendazim (E198A mutation in ), azoxystrobin (G143A in), iprodione (G367A+V368F in ), and MDR1 (gain-of-function mutations in the transcription factor gene and overexpression of the drug efflux transporter gene ). The widespread occurrence of indicates that this species is adapted to fungicide-treated strawberry fields and may be of local importance as a gray mold pathogen alongside Gray mold is the most important fruit rot on strawberries worldwide and requires fungicide treatments for control. For a long time, it was believed to be caused only by, a ubiquitous pathogen with a broad host range that quickly develops fungicide resistance. We report the discovery and description of a new species, named , that is widely distributed in commercial strawberry fields in Germany and the southeastern United States. It was observed on overwintering tissue but not on freshly infected fruit and seems host specific on the basis of its occurrence and artificial infection tests. has also developed resistance to several fungicides that is caused by mutations similar to those known in , including an efflux-based multidrug resistance. Our data indicate that could be of practical importance as a strawberry pathogen in some regions where its abundance is similar to that of .

Mycelial Growth and Biological Control Measures of Botrytis cinerea Isolated from Strawberry Fruit Rot Disease in Bangladesh

“…Mycelial growth of growing fungus colony was transferred to fresh PDA plates as well as PDA slants to obtain a pure culture. The pure culture of the isolated fungus was identified microscopically using standard methods based on colony morphology, mycelium and conidia [11].…”

Antifungal benzimidazoles disrupt vasculature by targeting one of nine β-tubulins

“…Given the plethora of fungal and nematode studies on benzimidazole pesticide resistance in agriculture 22,[33][34][35][36]38,[40][41][42][43][44][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] (Fig. 4A), we reasoned that TBZ's molecular mechanism may extend to other commercially used benzimidazole compounds.…”

A novel bioactive molecule 5-β-Hydroxyltridecanyl benzoate identified in Pedalium Murex L. (Gokhru) fruit extracts showed antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

“…Another necrotrophic fungus B. cinerea is well known for its extensive host range, wide distribution globally, extreme variability and adaptability to extensive environmental conditions (Clarkson et al, 2017). Botrytis cinerea is the causal agent of gray mold disease in a broad range of dicotyledonous plants (Rupp et al 2017). It colonizes senescent or wounded tissues but is also able to infect healthy plants, causing serious damage in fruits and vegetables in open fields and in greenhouses, both during pre- and post-harvest (Droby and Licter 2007).…”