Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense): endophytes and Puccinia punctiformis

Abstract

Californian thistle (Cirisum arvense) is a troublesome weed in pastures and cropping systems. The fungal biocontrol agent Puccinia punctiformis, commonly referred to as thistle rust, performs inconsistently on C. arvense. Problems with P. punctiformis establishment and control of C. arvense may be attributable to differing plant endophytic populations in various environments. This article provides an overview of the relationships between endophytes and their host, but also between endophytes and pathogens with a focus on rust pathogens. This review provides insights into reasons why P. punctiformis performs inconsistently and identifies gaps in our knowledge. Filling these gaps may help to improve performance of this classical fungal biocontrol agent. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

“…For example, microbial symbionts of insects provide essential functions and coevolve with their hosts, and can facilitate invasions by providing detoxification capabilities and/or aiding host range expansion ( Lange et al 2023 ). Similarly, the absence or presence of plant endophytes can determine if a plant becomes invasive ( Kentjens et al 2023 ), and rapid adaptation and dispersal have led to spatial variation in the resistance of the cane toad ( Rhinella marina ) to its native-range lungworm parasite ( Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala ) ( Eyck et al 2022 ).…”

The future of microbial bioherbicides

“…The meeting was organized into twenty‐two 50‐min presentations with ample time for discussion. Sixteen of the articles in this issue are from conference participants 2–17 . Four related articles from non‐participants are also included 18–21 .…”

Impact of Puccinia punctiformis on Cirsium arvense performance in a simulated crop sequence

“…Puccinia punctiformis (F. Strauss) Rohl. (thistle rust) is a heterotrophic fungal pathogen of C. arvense that acts as a longterm systemic parasite (Buller, 1950;Menzies, 1953;Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023). As a parasite that consumes resources and weakens the root structure (Buller, 1950;Menzies, 1953), P. punctiformis is specific to C. arvense (Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023) and has been identified in temperate habitats around the globe (Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023).…”

“…(thistle rust) is a heterotrophic fungal pathogen of C. arvense that acts as a longterm systemic parasite (Buller, 1950;Menzies, 1953;Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023). As a parasite that consumes resources and weakens the root structure (Buller, 1950;Menzies, 1953), P. punctiformis is specific to C. arvense (Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023) and has been identified in temperate habitats around the globe (Berner et al, 2013;Kentjens et al, 2023). Once established in the roots, infected C. arvense can develop chlorotic leaf tissue with lesions, elongated stems, and growth irregularities which can reduce fitness and cause death (Buller, 1950;Berner et al, 2013).…”

“…Once established in the roots, infected C. arvense can develop chlorotic leaf tissue with lesions, elongated stems, and growth irregularities which can reduce fitness and cause death (Buller, 1950;Berner et al, 2013). Diseased stems act as aboveground carriers for P. punctiformis spores, appearing as orange to dark-red pustules on leaves, where the fungus completes most of its five-stage heterothallic life cycle during summer months, eventually producing transmissible teliospores (Buller, 1950;Menzies, 1953;Kentjens et al, 2023). Teliospore-bearing thistle leaves senesce and abscise as precipitation and temperatures decline, where they can contact healthy C. arvense rosettes through wind or mechanical dispersion, leading to long-term systemic infection in new C. arvense hosts under ideal environmental conditions (French and Lightfield, 1990;Berner et al, 2013).…”