Research Article |
Corresponding author: Lin Huang ( lhuang@njfu.edu.cn ) Academic editor: Ning Jiang
© 2024 Jiao He, De-Wei Li, Wen-Li Cui, Li-Hua Zhu, Lin Huang.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication.
Citation:
He J, Li D-W, Cui W-L, Zhu L-H, Huang L (2024) Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal three new species of Fusarium (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) associated with leaf blight on Cunninghamia lanceolata in China. MycoKeys 101: 45-80. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.101.113128
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Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is a special fast-growing commercial tree species in China with high economic value. In recent years, leaf blight disease on C. lanceolata has been observed frequently. The diversity of Fusarium species associated with leaf blight on C. lanceolata in China (Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Hunan provinces) was evaluated using morphological study and molecular multi-locus analyses based on RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α), and RNA polymerase largest subunit (RPB1) genes/region as well as the pairwise homoplasy index tests. A total of five Fusarium species belonging to four Fusarium species complexes were recognized in this study. Two known species including Fusarium concentricum and F. fujikuroi belonged to the F. fujikuroi species complex, and three new Fusarium species were described, i.e., F. fujianense belonged to the F. lateritium species complex, F. guizhouense belonged to the F. sambucinum species complex, and F. hunanense belonged to the F. solani species complex. To prove Koch’s postulates, pathogenicity tests on C. lanceolata revealed a wide variation in pathogenicity and aggressiveness among the species, of which F. hunanense HN33-8-2 caused the most severe symptoms and F. fujianense LC14 led to the least severe symptoms. To our knowledge, this study also represented the first report of F. concentricum, F. fujianense, F. fujikuroi, F. guizhouense, and F. hunanense causing leaf blight on C. lanceolata in China.
Cunninghamia lanceolata, Fusarium, leaf blight, new species, pathogenicity
The genus Fusarium (Nectriaceae) is one of the most renowned genera that contains many phytopathogenic fungi. The members of this genus can directly incite diseases in plants, humans, and domesticated animals (
There has been confusion in Fusarium taxonomy for a long time because of the nine-species system of
The narrow generic concept of Fusarium is leading to a large number of name changes and confusions among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, biologists, and other professionals. Rebuilding the correct systematic position of a large number of fungal names cannot be achieved without repeated studies (
Morphology is a fundamental component of the generic and species concepts of fungi and must not be overlooked. Key morphological features for generic circumscription include characteristics of sexual morphs such as perithecial morphology, the presence and nature of a basal stroma, ascus characters, and ascospore shape, septation, color as well as surface ornamentation (
Current Fusarium taxonomy is dominated by molecular phylogenetic studies. Many protein-coding genes have been explored for identification and taxonomic purposes in Fusarium. The 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA, internal transcribed spacer region and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS), large subunit of the ATP citrate lyase (acl1), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb1), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), α-actin (act), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (cmdA), histone H3 (his3), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) loci are currently used (
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) is an evergreen coniferous tree species. Because of its fast growth, straight trunk, and high economic value, it is widely cultivated in the Yangtze River Basin and the southern Qinling Mountains in China. It is the main afforestation tree species in southern China. Average timber volume is estimated at 500–800 m3/ha, and in China, C. lanceolata contributes 40% of the total commercial timber production (
An investigation of fungal diseases on leaves of C. lanceolata covering its main cultivation regions of C. lanceolata in China was conducted from 2016 to 2020 (unpublished data) and samples of leaf blight were collected. The foliar symptoms ranged from leaf spots, anthracnose to leaf blight. The leaf blight disease mainly caused pale brown to brownish necrotic needles on C. lanceolata. Our preliminary study showed that a number of fungi were responsible for the foliar diseases of C. lanceolata in the field, including Alternaria spp., Bipolaris spp., Colletotrichum spp., Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp., and Pestalotiopsis spp. The main aim of the present study is to determine the Fusarium spp. associated with C. lanceolata.
A total of 20 isolates of Fusarium spp. were isolated from leaf blight disease samples of C. lanceolata, which were collected in four provinces (Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Hunan) in China (Suppl. material
Genomic DNA of 20 isolates was extracted using a modified CTAB method (
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was carried out on the extracted DNA. TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1 were amplified with the primer sets of EF1/EF2 (
PCR was performed in a 30 μl reaction volume containing 2 μL of genomic DNA (ca. 200 ng/μL), 15 μL of 2× Taq Plus Master Mix (Dye Plus) (Vazyme P212-01), 1 µL of 10 μM forward primer, 1 µL of 10 μM reverse primer, and 11 μL of ddH2O. The parameters for PCR protocol were 94 °C for 4 min, followed by 34 cycles of 30 s at 94 °C, annealing at a suitable temperature for the 30 s for different loci: 55 °C for TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1, 72 °C for 60 s, and a final elongation step at 72 °C for 10 min. All DNA sequencing was performed at Shanghai Sangon Biotechnology Company (Nanjing, China). The sequences derived in this study were deposited in GenBank. GenBank accession numbers of all isolates used for phylogenetic analyses were listed in Table
Species name | Culture/specimen1 | Host | Country/area | GenBank/ENA accession number2 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TEF–1α | RPB2 | RPB1 | ||||
Fusarium fujikuroi species complex | ||||||
F. acutatum | CBS 402.97T (Ex-type) | Unknown | India | KR071754 | KT154005 | MT010947 |
F. agapanthi | NRRL 54463HT (Ex-holotype) | African lily | Australia and Italy | KU900630 | KU900625 | KU900620 |
NRRL 54464HT | African lily | Australia and Italy | – | KU900627 | KU900622 | |
F. ananatum | CBS 118516T | Unknown | Unknown | – | KU604269 | MT010937 |
F. awaxy | LGMF 1930HT | stalk, Zea mays | Brazil | MG839004 | MK766941 | – |
F. bactridioides | CBS 100057T | Pinus leiophylla | Arizona, USA | KC514053 | – | MT010939 |
F. begoniae | CBS 452.97T | Begonia elatior hybrid | Germany | KC514054 | MT010964 | – |
F. brevicatenulatum | CBS 404.97T | Striga asiatica | Madagascar | MT011005 | MT010979 | MT010948 |
NRRL 25447T | Unknown | Unknown | MN193859 | MN193887 | – | |
F. concentricum | MUCL 55980 | Musa sp. | China | LT574935 | LT575016 | – |
MUCL 55983 | Musa sp. | China | LT574938 | LT575019 | – | |
CBS 450.97T | Musa sapientum fruit | Costa Rica | MT010992 | MT010981 | MT010942 | |
SJ1-10 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734385 | ON734365 | OR683264 | |
SJ1-10-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734386 | ON734366 | OR683265 | |
SJ1-10-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734387 | ON734367 | OR683266 | |
SJ1-10-3 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734388 | ON734368 | OR683267 | |
F. circinatum | NRRL 25331T = CBS 405.97 | Monterrey pine tree | USA | AF160295 | JX171623 | – |
F. fujikuroi | HJYB-4 | Zanthoxylum armatum | China | MT902140 | MT902141 | – |
MUCL 55986 | Musa sp. | China | LT574941 | LT575022 | – | |
CBS 221.76T | Oryza sativa culm | Taiwan | KR071741 | KU604255 | – | |
HN43-17-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734397 | ON734377 | OR683276 | |
HN43-17-1-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734398 | ON734378 | OR683277 | |
HN43-17-1-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734399 | ON734379 | OR683278 | |
HN43-17-1-3 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734400 | ON734380 | OR683279 | |
F. lactis | NRRL 25200NT = CBS 411.97 (Ex-neotype) | Ficus carica | USA | AF160272 | – | MT010954 |
F. mangiferae | NRRL 25226T = BBA 69662 | Mangifera indica | India | AF160281 | JX171622 | – |
F. nygamai | NRRL 13448T = CBS 749.97 | Necrotic sorghum root | Australia | AF160273 | EF470114 | MT010955 |
F. pseudocircinatum | NRRL 22946T = CBS 126.73 | Solanum sp. | Ghana | AF160271 | – | MT010952 |
F. pseudonygamai | NRRL 13592T = CBS 417.97 | Pennisetum typhoides | Nigeria | AF160263 | – | MT010951 |
F. ramigenum | NRRL 25208T = CBS 418.97 | Ficus carica | USA | AF160267 | KF466412 | MT010959 |
F. sacchari | NRRL 13999 = CBS 223.76 | Saccharum officinarum | India | AF160278 | JX171580 | – |
F. subglutinans | NRRL 22016T = CBS 747.97 | Corn | USA | AF160289 | JX171599 | – |
F. thapsinum | NRRL 22045 = CBS 733.97 | Sorghum bicolor | South Africa | AF160270 | JX171600 | – |
F. udum | NRRL 22949 = CBS 178.32 | unknown | Germany | AF160275 | – | – |
F. xyrophilum | NRRL 62721 | Xyris spp. | Guyana | – | MN193905 | MW402721 |
NRRL 62710 | Xyris spp. | Guyana | – | MN193903 | MW402720 | |
F. zealandicum (Outgroup) | CBS 111.93T | Hoheria populnea bark | New Zealand | HQ728148 | HM626684 | – |
F. lateritium species complex | ||||||
F. cassiae | MFLUCC 18-0573HT | Cassia fistula | Thailand | MT212205 | MT212197 | – |
F. citri-sinensis | YZU 191316T | Citrus sinensis fruit | China | MW855826 | MW855854 | – |
YZU 181391 | Citrus sinensis fruit | China | MW855825 | OM913582 | – | |
F. fujianense | LC14 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734389 | ON734369 | OR683268 |
LC14-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734390 | ON734370 | OR683269 | |
F. fujianense | LC14-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734391 | ON734371 | OR683270 |
LC14-3 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734392 | ON734372 | OR683271 | |
F. lateritium | NRRL 52786 | unknown | Germany | JF740854 | JF741180 | JF741009 |
F. lateritium | NRRL 25122LT (Ex-lectotype) | unknown | Germany | JF740747 | JF741075 | JF740959 |
F. magnoliae-champaca | MFLUCC 18-0580HT | Magnolia champaca | Thailand | – | MT212198 | – |
F. massalimae | URM 8239T | Handroanthus chrysotrichus | Brazil | MN939763 | MN939767 | – |
FCCUFG 05HT | Handroanthus chrysotrichus | Brazil | MN939764 | MN939768 | – | |
F. sarcochroum | CPC 28118 | Citrus limon | Castellò, Spain | LT746213 | LT746326 | LT746298 |
CPC 28075NT | Citrus reticulata | Alginet, Spain | LT746211 | LT746324 | LT746296 | |
F. stilboides | CBS 746.79T | Citrus sp. | New Zealand | MW928843 | MW928832 | – |
F. sublunatum (Outgroup) | CBS 189.34T | Musa sapientum and Theobroma cacao | USA | – | KM232380 | – |
F. sambucinum species complex | ||||||
F. acaciae-mearnsii | NRRL 26754T | Acacia mearnsii | South Africa | AF212448 | KM361658 | KM361640 |
F. aethiopicum | NRRL 46718 | wheat seed | Ethiopia | FJ240296 | KM361670 | KM361652 |
NRRL 46726 | wheat seed | Ethiopia | MW233126 | MW233470 | MW233298 | |
NRRL 6227 | Triticum aestivum | New South Wales, Australia | HM744692 | JX171560 | JX171446 | |
FRC R09335 | Triticum aestivum | New South Wales, Australia | GQ915501 | GQ915485 | – | |
F. concentricum (Outgroup) | CBS 450.97T | Musa sapientum fruit | Costa Rica | – | MT010981 | MT010942 |
F. cortaderiae | NRRL 29297 | Cortaderia sp. | New Zealand | MW233098 | MW233442 | MW233270 |
F. culmorum | NRRL 25475T | Barley | Denmark | MW233082 | MW233425 | MW233253 |
F. guizhouense | GZ7-20-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734381 | ON734361 | OR683260 |
GZ7-20-1-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734382 | ON734362 | OR683261 | |
GZ7-20-1-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734383 | ON734363 | OR683262 | |
GZ7-20-1-3 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734384 | ON734364 | OR683263 | |
F. graminearum | NRRL 31084 | unknown | unknown | MW233103 | JX171644 | JX171531 |
F. langsethiae | NRRL 53439 | oat kernel | Norway | HM744691 | HQ154479 | – |
F. longipes | NRRL 20695 | soil | USA | GQ915509 | GQ915493 | – |
F. louisianense | NRRL 54197 | Triticum aestivum | USA | KM889633 | MW233478 | MW233306 |
F. mesoamericanum | NRRL 25797 | Musa sp. | Honduras | AF212441 | MW233426 | MW233254 |
F. poae | LC6917 | Oryza sativa | China | MW620088 | MW474613 | MW024655 |
LC13783 | Hordeum vulgare | China | MW620087 | MW474612 | MW024654 | |
NRRL 26941T | Barley | USA | – | KU171706 | KU171686 | |
F. pseudograminearum | NRRL 28062HT | Unknown | Unknown | MW233090 | JX171637 | JX171524 |
F. sambucinum | MAFF 150447 | Squash | Japan | LC637559 | LC637561 | – |
CBS 146.95HT | Solanum tuberosum | United Kingdom | KM231941 | KM232381 | – | |
F. sibiricum | NRRL 53432 | Oat | Russia | HM744686 | HQ154474 | – |
NRRL 53430 | Oat | Russia | HM744684 | MW233474 | MW233302 | |
F. sporotrichioides | CBS 131779 | Avena sativa | Canada | JX119003 | JX162545 | – |
F. transvaalense | LLC3337 | Soil | Australia | OP487291 | OP486855 | OP486422 |
NRRL 31008 | Soil | Australia | MW233102 | MW233446 | MW233274 | |
F. venenatum | CBS 458.93T | Winter wheat | Australia | KM231942 | KM232382 | – |
NRRL 25413 | Unknown | United Kingdom | MW233080 | MW233423 | MW233251 | |
F. solani species complex | ||||||
F. ambrosium | NRRL 22346 | Euwallacea fornicatus | India | FJ240350 | EU329503 | KC691587 |
NRRL 20438 | Euwallacea fornicatus | India | AF178332 | JX171584 | JX171470 | |
F. bataticola | CBS 144397 | Ipomoea batatas | USA | AF178343 | EU329509 | MW218099 |
CBS 144398T | Ipomoea batatas | USA | AF178344 | FJ240381 | MW218100 | |
F. borneense | CBS 145462 | Bark or recently dead tree | Indonesia | AF178352 | EU329515 | MW834213 |
F. breviconum | CBS 203.31 | Twig | Philippines | LR583599 | LR583820 | MW218103 |
F. cicatricum (Outgroup) | CBS 125552 | Dead twig | Slovenia | HM626644 | HQ728153 | – |
F. cryptoseptatum | CBS 145463T | Bark | French Guiana | AF178351 | EU329510 | MW834215 |
F. cucurbiticola | CBS 410.62 | Cucurbita viciifolia | Netherlands | DQ247640 | LR583824 | MW834216 |
CBS 616.66T | Cucurbita viciifolia | Netherlands | DQ247592 | LR583825 | MW834217 | |
F. euwallaceae | CBS 135854T | Euwallacea sp. on Persea americana | Israel | JQ038007 | JQ038028 | JQ038021 |
NRRL 62626 | Euwallacea sp. on Persea americana | USA | KC691532 | KU171702 | KU171682 | |
F. haematococcum | CBS 119600ET | Dying tree | Sri Lanka | DQ247510 | LT960561 | – |
F. helgardnirenbergiae | CBS 145469T | Bark | French Guiana | AF178339 | EU329505 | – |
F. hunanense | HN33-8-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734393 | ON734373 | OR683272 |
HN33-8-2-1 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734394 | ON734374 | OR683273 | |
HN33-8-2-2 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734395 | ON734375 | OR683274 | |
HN33-8-2-3 * | Chinese fir | China | ON734396 | ON734376 | OR683275 | |
F. illudens | NRRL 22090 | Beilschmiedia tawa | New Zealand | AF178326 | JX171601 | JX171488 |
F. kuroshium | CBS 142642T | Euwallacea sp. on Platanus racemosa | USA | KX262216 | LR583837 | MW834227 |
F. kurunegalense | CBS 119599T | Recently cut tree | Sri Lanka | DQ247511 | LR583838 | MW834228 |
F. lichenicola | CBS 279.34T | Human | Somalia | LR583615 | LR583840 | – |
F. mahasenii | CBS 119594T | Dead branch on live tree | Sri Lanka | DQ247513 | LT960563 | MW834231 |
F. neocosmosporiellum | CBS 446.93T | Soil | Japan | LR583670 | LR583898 | MW834257 |
F. oligoseptatum | CBS 143241T | Euwallacea validus on Ailanthus altissima | USA | KC691538 | LR583854 | – |
NRRL 62578 | Euwallacea validus on Ailanthus altissima | USA | KC691537 | KC691626 | KC691595 | |
F. phaseoli | NRRL 31041T | Glycine max | USA | AY220193 | JX171643 | JX171530 |
F. piperis | CBS 145470T | Piper nigrum | Brazil | AF178360 | EU329513 | MW834241 |
F. plagianthi | NRRL 22632 | Hoheria glabrata | New Zealand | AF178354 | JX171614 | JX171501 |
F. protoensiforme | CBS 145471T | Dicot tree | Venezuela | AF178334 | EU329498 | MW834244 |
F. pseudensiforme | CBS 130.78 | Cocos nucifera | Indonesia | DQ247635 | LR583868 | MW834245 |
CBS 125729T | Dead tree | Sri Lanka | KC691555 | KC691645 | KC691615 | |
F. rectiphorum | CBS 125727T | Dead tree | Sri Lanka | DQ247509 | LR583871 | MW834249 |
F. samuelsii | CBS 114067T | Bark | Guyana | LR583644 | LR583874 | MW834252 |
F. staphyleae (Outgroup) | NRRL 22316 | Staphylea trifolia | USA | AF178361 | EU329502 | JX171496 |
Fusarium sp. | YZU 171871 | Citrus sinensis | China | MK370098 | MK370099 | – |
YZU 171870 | Citrus sinensis | China | MH423886 | MH423885 | – | |
F. venezuelense | CBS 145473T | Bark | Venezuela | AF178341 | EU329507 | – |
F. xiangyunensis | ZF-2018 | Soil | China | MH992629 | – | – |
F. yamamotoi | CBS 144395 | Xanthoxylum piperitum branch | Japan | AF178328 | EU329496 | MW218112 |
CBS 144396ET | Xanthoxylum piperitum trunk | Japan | AF178336 | FJ240380 | MW218113 |
The sequences generated in this study were compared against nucleotide sequences in GenBank using BLAST to determine closely related taxa. Alignments of different loci, including the sequences obtained from this study and sequences downloaded from the GenBank, were initially performed with the MAFFT v.7 online server (https://mafft.cbrc.jp/alignment/server/) (
Phylogenetically related but ambiguous species were analyzed using the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) model by performing a pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test as described by
One representative isolate was randomly selected from each Fusarium species for morphological research according to the method of
The fungal isolates HN43-17-1, SJ1-10, LC14, GZ7-20-1, and HN33-8-2 were randomly selected from the Fusarium species for Koch’s postulates test. A conidial suspension of 106 conidia/ml of each isolate was used for inoculation.
For in vitro inoculation, healthy young leaves of C. lanceolata were collected from 1-year-old C. lanceolata plants on the campus of Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu, China. Detached leaves were surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol, washed three times with sterile water, and air-dried on sterile filter paper. A 10 μl aliquot of conidial suspension was transferred to a sterile plastic tube (6 mm diameter, 20 mm deep), in which a leaf was placed so that the base of the leaf was immersed in the conidial suspension. The control was treated with the same amount of double-distilled water. Leaves in the tubes were then put in plastic trays (40 × 25 cm), covered with a piece of plastic wrap to maintain relative humidity at 99%, and incubated at 25 °C in the dark for 5 days. Each treatment had eight replicates, and the experiment was conducted three times. Symptom development on the detached leaves was evaluated by determining the means of lesion lengths at 5 days post inoculation (dpi). The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS v. 18 software. LSD’s range test was used to determine significant differences among or between different treatments (
For in vivo inoculation, shoots from C. lanceolata tissue culture seedlings provided by Fujian Yangkou Forest Farm, Fujian, China were used. Fifty-four bottles of seedlings (cultured with 0.6% water agar medium, one seedling per bottle) were prepared. A 10 µl aliquot of conidial suspension was applied onto each of the leader shoots. The same volume of distilled water was used as a control. After inoculation, the seedlings were incubated at 28 °C with a 12-h/12-h light/dark photoperiod for 10 days. The experiment was conducted three times, and each treatment had three replicates. Pathogens were re-isolated from the resulting lesions and identified as afore-described.
A total of 20 Fusarium isolates were isolated from the diseased C. lanceolata samples showing the symptom of leaf blight and used for phylogenetic analyses. Three-locus phylogenetic analysis used 37 isolates of 22 related taxa from the F. fujikuroi species complex. Fusarium zealandicum CBS 111.93 (ex-type) was used as the out-group. A total of 2219 characters (RPB1: 1-901, RPB2: 902-1692, TEF-1α: 1693-2219) were included in the phylogenetic analyses. The Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analyses of the isolates of F. fujikuroi species complex produced topologically similar trees. The BI posterior probabilities (PP) were plotted on the ML tree (Fig.
Phylogenetic relationships of 37 isolates of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex with related taxa derived from concatenated sequences of the TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1 genes/region using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Bootstrap support values from ML ≥ 70% and BI posterior values ≥ 0.9 are shown at nodes (ML/BI). Fusarium zealandicum CBS 111.93T was the outgroup. * indicates strains of this study. T indicates ex-types or ex-epitypes. LT: Ex-lectotype, NT: Ex-neotype, HT: Ex-holotype.
The three-locus phylogenetic analysis used 16 isolates of 8 related taxa from the F. lateritium species complex. Fusarium sublunatum CBS 189.34 (ex-type) was used as the out-group. A total of 2063 characters (RPB1: 1-615, RPB2: 616-1391, TEF-1α: 1392-2063) were included in the phylogenetic analyses. The Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analyses of the isolates of F. lateritium species complex produced topologically similar trees. The BI posterior probabilities (PP) were plotted on the ML tree (Fig.
Phylogenetic relationships of 16 isolates of the Fusarium lateritium species complex with related taxa with concatenated sequences of the TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1 loci using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Bootstrap support values from ML ≥ 70% and BI posterior values ≥ 0.9 are shown at nodes (ML/BI). Fusarium sublunatum CBS 189.34T was the outgroup. * indicates strains of this study. T indicates the ex-type strains. LT: Ex-lectotype, NT: Ex-neotype, HT: Ex-holotype.
Splitgraphs showing the results of the pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test of three newly described taxa and closely related species using both LogDet transformation and splits decomposition A the PHI of Fusarium fujianense sp. nov. with their phylogenetically related isolates or species B the PHI of F. hunanense sp. nov. with their phylogenetically related isolates or species C the PHI of F. guizhouense sp. nov. with their phylogenetically related isolates or species. PHI test value (Φw) < 0.05 indicate significant recombination within a dataset. * indicates isolates of this study. T indicates ex-types. HT indicates ex-holotypes.
The three-locus phylogenetic analysis used 41 isolates of 29 related taxa from the F. solani species complex. Fusarium staphyleae NRRL 22316 and F. cicatricum CBS 125552 were used as the out-group. A total of 2023 characters (RPB1: 1-640, RPB2: 641-1440, TEF-1α: 1441-2023) were included in the phylogenetic analyses. The Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analyses of the isolates of F. solani species complex produced topologically similar trees. The BI posterior probabilities (PP) were plotted on the ML tree (Fig.
Phylogenetic relationships of 41 isolates of the Fusarium solani species complex with related taxa with concatenated sequences of the TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1 loci using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Bootstrap support values from ML ≥ 70% and BI posterior values ≥ 0.9 are shown at nodes (ML/BI). Fusarium staphyleae NRRL 22316 and F. cicatricum CBS 125552 were the outgroup. * indicates strains of this study. T indicates the ex-type strains. ET indicates ex-epitypes.
The three-locus phylogenetic analysis used 30 isolates of 18 related taxa from the F. sambucinum species complex. Fusarium concentricum CBS 450.97 (ex-type) was used as the out-group. A total of 2115 characters (RPB1: 1-641, RPB2: 642-1538, TEF-1α: 1539-2115) were included in the phylogenetic analyses. The Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analyses of the isolates of F. sambucinum species complex produced topologically similar trees. The BI posterior probabilities (PP) were plotted on the ML tree (Fig.
Phylogenetic relationships of 30 isolates of the Fusarium sambucinum species complex with related taxa with concatenated sequences of the TEF-1α, RPB2, and RPB1 loci using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Bootstrap support values from ML ≥ 70% and BI posterior values ≥ 0.9 are shown at nodes (ML/BI). F. concentricum CBS 450.97T was the outgroup. * indicates strains of this study. T indicates the ex-type strains. HT indicates ex-holotypes.
The results of the molecular analyses and observations of morphological characteristics in culture indicated that the 20 isolates from C. lanceolata belonged to five Fusarium species, among which two were known taxa (F. concentricum and F. fujikuroi) and three were new to science (F. fujianense, F. guizhouense, and F. hunanense). This study selected the representative strains of each Fusarium species SJ1-10 (F. concentricum), LC14 (F. fujianense), HN43-17-1 (F. fujikuroi), GZ7-20-1 (F. guizhouense), and HN33-8-2 (F. hunanense) for detailed morphological characterization.
Sexual state not observed. Asexual state: sporulation abundant from sporodochia, rarely from conidiophores formed directly on the substrate mycelium. Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium branched, bearing terminal or intercalary monophialides, often reduced to single phialides. Phialides subulate to subcylindrical, smooth, thin-walled, (2.3–)4.9–15.5(–18.3) × (1.1–)1.4–2.8(–3.5) μm, (mean ± SD = 10.2 ± 5.3 × 2.1 ± 0.7 μm, n = 9), without periclinal thickening. Microconidia in the aerial mycelium hyaline, ellipsoidal to falcate, smooth, thin-walled, 0–1-septate, (3.8–)5.9–9.1(–11.3) × (1.9–)2.5–3.4(–4.3) μm (mean ± SD = 7.5 ± 1.6 × 3.0 ± 0.5 μm, n = 60), forming small false heads on the tips of monophialides. Sporodochia pale orange colored, formed abundantly on carnation leaves. Conidiophores in sporodochia (27.7–)40.6–49.8(–51.7) μm, (mean ± SD = 45.2 ± 4.6 μm, n = 35), verticillately branched and densely packed, bearing apical whorls of 2–3 monophialides or rarely single lateral monophialides; sporodochial phialides subulate to subcylindrical, (9.5–)11.4–16.5(–20.4) × (2.2–)2.7–4.0(–4.7) μm, (mean ± SD = 13.9 ± 2.5 × 3.4 ± 0.6 μm, n = 45), smooth, thin-walled. Sporodochial macroconidia falcate, curved dorsiventrally with almost parallel sides tapering slightly towards both ends, with a blunt to papillate, curved apical cell and a foot cell, 3-septate, (23.2–)30.2–40.5(–43.7) × (3.4–)3.9–4.9(–5.5) μm, (mean ± SD = 35.3 ± 5.2 × 4.4 ± 0.5 μm, n = 60), 4-septate, (35.5–)38.0–48.8(–49.4) × (3.4–)3.4–4.3(–4.4) μm, (mean ± SD = 43.4 ± 5.4 × 3.9 ± 0.4 μm, n = 10), 5-septate, (49.5–)49.7–57.2(–59.1) × (3.5–)3.6–4.2(–4.2) μm, (mean ± SD = 53.4 ± 3.6 × 3.9 ± 0.3 μm, n = 10), hyaline, thin- and smooth-walled. Chlamydospores absent.
Colonies on PDA growing in the dark with an average growth rate of 9.3 mm/d at 25 °C. Colony surface white to pale purple, flat or slightly raised at the center; colony margins irregular, filiform. Reverse light yellow. Odor absent. Colonies on SNA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, aerial mycelium absent or scant, growing at 13.1 mm/d. Colonies on OMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, aerial mycelium abundant, loose to densely floccose, growing at 13.2 mm/d. Reverse light purple. Colonies on CMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, colony surface and reverse pale gray at the center, aerial mycelium absent or scarce, growing at 11.9 mm/d.
China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou City, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Guyi Town, 25°25′48″N, 109°28′47″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, isolates: SJ1-10, SJ1-10-1, SJ1-10-2, SJ1-10-3.
The isolate SJ1-10 in this study was in the same clade with F. concentricum CBS 450.97 (ex-type). Morphologically, 0-septate microconidia (3.8–11.3 × 1.9–4.3 μm) of the isolate SJ1-10 were similar with the 0-septate microconidia (7.0–12.2 ×2.3–3.9 μm) of the ex-type (CBS 450.97) of F. concentricum (
Sexual state not observed. Asexual state: Sporulation abundant from sporodochia, rarely from conidiophores formed directly on the substrate mycelium. Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium branched, bearing terminal or intercalary phialides. Phialides subulate to subcylindrical, smooth, thin-walled, (11.5–)14.7–22.9(–30.0) μm × (1.8–)2.0–3.6(–4.0) μm, (mean ± SD = 18.8 ± 4.1 μm × 2.8 ± 0.8 μm, n = 37), without periclinal thickening; microconidia hyaline, short clavate to cylindrical, slender to relatively straight, smooth, thin-walled, 0-septate, (5.4–)6.7–11.3(–15.5) × (2.0–)2.5–3.5(–4.4) μm, (mean ± SD = 9.0 ± 2.3 × 3.0 ± 0.5 μm, n = 81), forming small false heads on the tips of phialides. Chlamydospores formed occasionally, mostly in pairs or chains, terminal or intercalary, globose to subglobose, smooth-walled, (6.0–)6.2–8.0(–8.3) × (4.4–)4.4–5.2(–5.6) μm, (mean ± SD = 7.1 ± 0.9 × 4.8 ± 0.4 μm, n = 6). Sporodochia and macroconidia not observed.
Colonies on PDA growing in the dark with an average growth rate of 13.9 mm/d at 25 °C. Colony surface white to purple, flat or slightly raised at the center; colony round, regular, margins filiform, aerial mycelium abundant. Reverse purple with white periphery. Odor absent. Colonies on SNA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, growing at 8.1 mm/d. Colony surface pure white, aerial mycelium absent or scant. Reverse pure white, without diffusible pigments. Colonies on OMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, aerial mycelium abundant, loose to densely floccose, growing at 12.5 mm/d. Colony white to dark purple and with white to dark violet pigmentation. Colonies on CMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, colony surface and reverse white, aerial mycelium absent or scant, growing at 11.3 mm/d.
China, Hunan province, Yiyang City, Heshan District, Henglongqiao Town, 28°27′24″N, 112°29′7″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, isolates: HN43-17-1, HN43-17-1-1, HN43-17-1-2, HN43-17-1-3.
The isolate HN43-17-1 in this study was in the same clade with F. fujikuroi CBS 221.76 (ex-type). Morphologically, 0-septate microconidia, (5.4–15.5 × 2–4.4 μm) of the isolate HN43-17-1 were more variable than the 0-septate microconidia (12.2–12.9 × 3.4–3.7 μm) of the ex-type (CBS 221.76) of F. fujikuroi (
Epithet is after Fujian province where the type specimen was collected.
China, Fujian Province, Nanping City, Shunchang County, Yangkou Forest Farm, 26°48′36″N, 117°52′48″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, (holotype: CFCC 57576). Holotype specimen is a living specimen being maintained via lyophilization at the China Forestry Culture Collection Center (CFCC). Ex-type (LC14) is maintained at the Forest Pathology Laboratory, Nanjing Forestry University.
Fusarium fujianense (LC14) A–D colonies on PDA, SNA, OMA, and CMA, respectively, after 5 days at 24 °C in the dark E, F sporodochia formed on PDA G, H aerial conidiophores, phialides, and microconidia I–L sporodochial conidiophores, phialides, and macroconidia M mesoconidium (1-septate) and macroconidia (4–6-septate). Scale bars: 200 μm (E, F); 10 μm (G–M).
From C. lanceolata in Yangkou Forest Farm, Shunchang County, Nanping City, Fujian Province, China.
Sexual state not observed. Asexual state: Sporulation abundant from sporodochia, rarely from conidiophores formed directly on the substrate mycelium. Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium unbranched, bearing terminal or intercalary monophialides, often reduced to single phialides. Phialides subulate to subcylindrical, smooth, thin-walled, (9.2–)10.3–16.3(–18.0) μm × (2.5–)2.6–3.4(–3.6) μm, (mean ± SD = 13.3 ± 3.0 μm × 3.0 ± 0.4 μm, n = 11), without periclinal thickening; microconidia subcylindrical to clavate, hyaline, smooth- and thin-walled, 0-septate, (5.6–)6.0–8.2(–8.3) μm × (1.9–)2.1–2.5(–2.7) μm, (mean ± SD = 7.1 ± 1.1 μm × 2.3 ± 0.2 μm, n=11), forming small false heads on the tips of monophialides. Sporodochia pale orange colored, formed abundantly on PDA after 40 days. Conidiophores in sporodochia (9.7–)18.8–31.5(–37.9) μm, (mean ± SD = 25.1 ± 6.4 μm, n = 37), irregularly branched and densely packed, bearing apical whorls of monophialides or 2–3 ployphialides; sporodochial phialides subulate to subcylindrical, (5.6–)10.0–16.1(–18.8) × (1.4–)2.5–3.9(–4.8) μm, (mean ± SD = 12.7 ± 3.4 × 3.2 ± 0.7 μm, n = 39), smooth, thin-walled. Sporodochial mesoconidia falcate, curved dorsiventrally with almost parallel sides tapering slightly towards both ends, with a blunt to papillate, curved apical cell and a foot-like basal cell, 1-septate, (21.8–)22.0–23.6(–23.8) × (4.7–)4.9–5.3(–5.3) μm, (mean ± SD = 22.8 ± 0.8 × 5.1 ± 0.2 μm, n = 6), macroconidia 4–6-septate, (40.2–)45.9–59.1(–63.4) × (4.5–)4.8–5.8(–6.9) μm, (mean ± SD = 52.5 ± 6.6 × 5.3 ± 0.5 μm, n = 18), hyaline, smooth, thin-walled. Chlamydospores absent.
Colonies on PDA growing in the dark with an average growth rate of 6.2 mm/d at 25 °C. Colony surface white to red, flat or slightly raised at the center; colony margins regular, round. Reverse red with white periphery. Odor absent. Colonies on SNA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, growing at 5.4 mm/d. Colony surface pure white, aerial mycelium abundant. Reverse pure white, without diffusible pigments. Colonies on OMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, aerial mycelium abundant, loose to densely floccose, growing at 6.0 mm/d. Reverse red with white periphery. Colonies on CMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were regular, round, colony surface and reverse red with white periphery, aerial mycelium absent or scant, growing at 7.1 mm/d.
China, Fujian Province, Nanping City, Shunchang County, Yangkou Forest Farm, 26°48′36″N, 117°52′48″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, isolates: LC14-1, LC14-2, LC14-3.
The isolates of F. fujianense were phylogenetically closely related to F. citri-sinensis (ex-type, YZU 191316), F. cassiae (ex-holotype, MFLUCC 18-0573), and F. stilboides (ex-type, CBS 746.79) (Fig.
Epithet is after Guizhou Province where the type specimen was collected.
China, Guizhou Province, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Cengong County, Kelou Town, 27°22′58″N, 108°22′9″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, (holotype: CFCC 57575). Holotype specimen is a living specimen maintained via lyophilization at the China Forestry Culture Collection Center (CFCC). Ex-type (GZ7-20-1) is maintained at the Forest Pathology Laboratory, Nanjing Forestry University.
Fusarium guizhouense (GZ7-20-1) A–D colonies on PDA, SNA, OMA, and CMA, respectively, after 5 days at 24 °C in the dark E sporodochia formed on the surface of carnation leaves F–J sporodochial conidiophores, phialides, and macroconidia K macroconidia (4–6-septate). Scale bars: 200 μm (E); 10 μm (F, G, K); 50 μm (H–J).
From C. lanceolata in Kelou Town, Cengong County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China.
Sexual state not observed. Asexual state: Sporulation abundant from sporodochia, rarely from conidiophores formed directly on the substrate mycelium. Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium absent. Sporodochia bright orange colored, formed abundantly on carnation leaves. Conidiophores in sporodochia (13.8–)18.8–25.8(–29.8) μm, (mean ± SD = 22.3 ± 3.5 μm, n = 39), irregularly branched and densely packed, bearing apical whorls of 1–4 phialides; sporodochial phialides subulate to subcylindrical, (8.2–)10.6–14.7(–16.9) × (2.7–)3.1–4.0(–4.8) μm, (mean ± SD = 12.6 ± 2.0 × 3.6 ± 0.5 μm, n = 40), smooth, thin-walled. Sporodochial macroconidia colorless, straight or slightly curved, wider at the middle or apical part, tapering towards the base, with a blunt and often curved apical cell and a foot-like to slightly notched basal cell, 4–5-septate. Four-septate conidia: (30.8–)33.3–40.9(–40.6) × (4.5–)5.3–6.4(–6.9) μm, (mean ± SD = 37.1 ± 3.8 × 5.9 ± 0.5 μm, n = 52), five-septate conidia: (33.4–)38.0–45.4(–51.3) × (5.0–)5.7–6.9(–7.5) μm, (mean ± SD = 41.7 ± 3.7 × 6.3 ± 0.6 μm, n = 60), smooth, thin-walled. Chlamydospores absent.
Colonies on PDA growing in the dark with an average growth rate of 16.7 mm/d at 25 °C. Colony color white at first, becoming buff, felty to cottony. Aerial mycelium abundant, loose to densely floccose; margins irregular and fimbriate. Reverse pale buff with white periphery. Odor absent. Colonies on SNA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were irregular, growing at 9.7 mm/d. Colony surface pure white, aerial mycelium scant, forming irregular rings at the periphery of the colony; margins lobate or serrate. Reverse pure white, without diffusible pigments. Colonies on OMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were irregular, aerial mycelium abundant, loose to densely floccose, growing at 13.1 mm/d. Colony in reverse was white with litter gray pigmentation. Colonies on CMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were round, colony surface and reverse white, flat, radially striated, membranous to dusty, aerial mycelium scant or absent; colony margins irregular, lobate or serrate, growing at 9.6 mm/d.
China, Guizhou province, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Cengong County, Kelou Town, 27°22′58″N, 108°22′9″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, isolates: GZ7-20-1-1, GZ7-20-1-2, GZ7-20-1-3.
The isolates of F. guizhouense were phylogenetically close to F. sambucinum (ex-holotype, CBS 146.95), F. poae (ex-type, NRRL 26941), and F. venenatum (ex-type, CBS 458.93) (Fig.
Epithet is named after Hunan Province where the type specimen was collected.
China, Hunan Province, Yiyang City, Heshan District, Henglongqiao Town, 28°27′24″N, 112°29′7″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, (holotype: CFCC 57574). Holotype specimen is a living specimen maintained via lyophilization at the China Forestry Culture Collection Center (CFCC). Ex-type (HN33-8-2) is maintained at the Forest Pathology Laboratory, Nanjing Forestry University.
Fusarium hunanense (HN33-8-2) A–D colonies on PDA, SNA, OMA, and CMA, respectively, after 5 days at 24 °C in the dark E sporodochia formed on PDA F–K aerial conidiophores, phialides, and conidia L–N sporodochial conidiophores, phialides, and conidia O, P macroconidia (3–6-septate) Q chlamydospore. Scale bars: 1,000 μm (E); 50 μm (F–H); 10 μm (I–Q).
From C. lanceolata in Henglongqiao Town, Heshan District, Yiyang City, Hunan Province, China.
Sexual state not observed. Asexual state: sporulation abundant from erect conidiophores formed on the agar surface or aggregated in sporodochia. Conidiophores in the aerial mycelium, mostly unbranched, rarely basally dichotomously branched, forming monophialides on the apices; phialides slender, subulate to subcylindrical, monophialidic, smooth, thin-walled, (29.6–)31.6–54.6(–74.1) × (2.0–)2.2–2.8(–3.0) μm, (mean ± SD = 43.1± 11.5 × 2.5 ± 0.3 μm, n = 17), with slight periclinal thickening at the tip and a short flared apical collarette. Sporodochia cream colored, produced on the surface of carnation leaves and PDA medium. Conidiophores in sporodochia (26.0–)29.3–39.1(–46.8) μm, (mean ± SD = 34.1 ± 5.1 μm, n = 39), irregularly branched, short stipitate, occasionally in whorls bearing terminal 2–4 monophialides; sporodochial phialides subulate to subcylindrical, smooth, thin-walled, (11.4–)15.5–22.1(–28.6) × (3.3–)4.0–5.2(–6.0) μm, (mean ± SD = 18.8 ± 3.3 × 4.6 ± 0.6 μm, n = 51), with periclinal thickening and a small, flared collarette. Sporodochial macroconidia cylindrical to falcate, gently curved, typically with a blunt and almost rounded apical cell and a barely notched foot cell, 3–6-septate, hyaline, smooth, thin-walled. Three-septate conidia: (22.1–)22.6–39.4(–54.7) × (5.0–)5.5–6.7(–7.4) μm, (mean ± SD = 31.0 ± 8.4 × 6.1 ± 0.6 μm, n = 11); four-septate conidia: (50.3–)54.4–68.2(–69.6) × (6.9–)6.9–7.7(–8.0) μm, (mean ± SD = 61.3 ± 6.9 × 7.3 ± 0.4 μm, n = 10); five-septate conidia: (51.8–)60.6–73.0(–78.2) × (6.4–)6.1–7.1(–8.5) μm, (mean ± SD = 66.8 ± 6.2 × 6.6 ± 0.5 μm, n = 31); six-septate conidia: (69.8–)70.7–77.7(–79.6) × (7.1–)7.5–8.3(–8.3) μm, (mean ± SD = 74.2 ± 3.5 μm × 7.9 ± 0.4 μm, n = 10). Chlamydospores developed in large numbers in hyphae and also in mature macroconidia. The chlamydospores were 0–1-septate, globose to ellipsoidal, constricted at the septum, intercalary or terminal in chains or solitary with mostly a pale color and smooth, (11.7–)11.7–12.9(–13.5) × (7.7–)7.7–8.5(–8.6) μm, (mean ± SD = 12.3 ± 0.6 × 8.1 ± 0.4 μm, n = 6).
Colonies on PDA growing in the dark with an average growth rate of 9.2 mm/d at 25 °C. Colony color white, flat, margins regular and fimbriate. Aerial mycelia abundant. Odor absent. Reverse white to pale luteous. Colonies on SNA incubated at 25 °C in the dark growing at 7.2 mm/d. Colony surface pure white, aerial mycelium scant. Reverse pure white, without diffusible pigments. Colonies on OMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark growing at 10.1 mm/d, color white, flat, velvety to felty with abundant floccose aerial mycelium. Reverse white without diffusible pigments. Colonies on CMA incubated at 25 °C in the dark were round, colony surface and reverse white, flat, aerial mycelium absent, hyphae hyaline, growing at 9.1 mm/d.
China, Hunan province, Yiyang City, Heshan District, Henglongqiao Town, 28°27′24″N, 112°29′7″E, isolated from leaf spots of Cunninghamia lanceolata, May 2017, Wen-Li Cui, isolates: HN33-8-2-1, HN33-8-2-2, HN33-8-2-3.
The isolates of F. hunanense were phylogenetically close to F. pseudensiforme (ex-type, CBS 125729) (Fig.
Pathogenicity was tested on detached C. lanceolata leaves in vitro following Koch’s postulates for F. hunanense (HN33-8-2), F. concentricum (SJ1-10), F. guizhouense (GZ7-20-1), F. fujikuroi (HN43-17-1), and F. fujianense (LC14). At five days post-inoculation, all the tested isolates caused leaf necrosis, with dark brown lesions. The control remained unchanged (Fig.
Symptoms on detached Cunninghamia lanceolata leaves (A) and shoots of tissue-culture seedlings of C. lanceolata (B) inoculated with isolates: Fusarium fujianense (LC14), F. fujikuroi (HN43-17-1), F. guizhouense (GZ7-20-1), F. concentricum (SJ1-10), and F. hunanense (HN33-8-2). Scale bar: 10 mm. C, Lesion length on detached C. lanceolata leaves inoculated with F. fujianense (LC14), F. fujikuroi (HN43-17-1), F. guizhouense (GZ7-20-1), F. concentricum (SJ1-10), and F. hunanense (HN33-8-2). Error bars represent standard deviation, and different letters indicate significant difference based on LSD’s range test at P < 0.05 (n = 8).
The fungal isolates used for inoculation were re-isolated from the diseased spots on the inoculated leaves and shoots, but no fungus was isolated from the leaves and shoots of the control. Koch’s postulates were satisfied, and these isolates HN33-8-2, SJ1-10, GZ7-20-1, HN43-17-1, and LC14 were determined to be the pathogens of leaf blight on C. lanceolata.
In this study, the pathogens causing leaf blight of C. lanceolata in China, focusing especially on Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Hunan provinces, were determined by the inoculation tests using the shoots of tissue-culture seedlings of C. lanceolata. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses were used to evaluate the diversity of Fusarium species from the symptomatic C. lanceolata leaves. Three of the species newly described here (F. fujianense, F. hunanense, and F. guizhouense) and two known species (F. fujikuroi and F. concentricum) were associated with leaf blight of C. lanceolata. To date, F. oxysporum f. pini has been reported from C. lanceolata in Taiwan, China (
Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequence diversity plays a crucial role, and many molecular markers, such as ITS, TUB2, HIS3, and CAL etc. have been used. However, RPB2 and TEF-1α sequences appear to be the most useful in taxonomic studies of fungi, especially for the members of the genus Fusarium (
At present, the taxonomic studies on Fusarium are very divisive, especially segregating the Fusarium solani species complex as Neocosmospora (
Species delineation needs polyphasic support. In addition to phylogenetic analyses and morphological studies, genealogical concordance analysis enables to determine sexual recombination and provides an operational criterion to verify the species borderline (
Pathogenicity tests showed that all five species were able to infect host plants. However, these species displayed differences in virulence on C. lanceolata. It is well known that F. fujikuroi is the causal agent of the rice disease bakanae in the major rice-growing regions in the world (
The present study introduces new insights into the biodiversity of Fusarium species associated with C. lanceolata in China. A remarkable diversity of Fusarium species spanning several species complexes was found from four provinces, China. Furthermore, three new species of Fusarium were described, with demonstrated pathogenicity to C. lanceolata. However, considering the limited geographic areas studied, it is likely that additional Fusarium species would also be isolated if more areas were studied. Meanwhile, this also shows that despite the widespread distribution of C. lanceolata in China, and previous knowledge about its associated microbes, the fungal species-richness in C. lanceolata remains underestimated. Therefore, more studies are necessary on these new taxa in order to elucidate their host range, specificity, and global distribution, as well as their potential impact on the C. lanceolata industry.
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
No ethical statement was reported.
This research was supported by the Nature Science Foundation of China (31870631), the National Key R & D Program of China (2017YFD0600102), Qing Lan Project, and Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).
LHZ and LH designed research; JH and WLC performed experiments; JH, DWL and LHZ analyzed data; JH wrote the original draft; and DWL and LH reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Jiao He https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4146-2223
De-Wei Li https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2788-7938
Wen-Li Cui https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7515-7672
Li-Hua Zhu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2740-4980
Lin Huang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7536-0914
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.
Supplementary data
Data type: docx
Explanation note: table S1. Fungal cultures isolated from Chinese fir in this study. table S2. Genes/region and respective primer pairs used in the study. table S3. Nucleotide substitution models used in the phylogenetic analyses. fig. S1. Fusarium concentricum (SJ1-10). A–D, Colonies on PDA, SNA, OMA, and CMA, respectively, after 5 days at 24°C in the dark; E–F, sporodochia formed on PDA and the surface of carnation leaves, respectively; G–H, aerial conidiophores; I–J, sporodochial conidiophores, phialides, and conidia; K–L, aerial phialides and conidia; M, microconidia (0–1-septate) and macroconidia (3–5-septate). fig. S2. Fusarium fujikuroi (HN43-17-1). A–D, Colonies on PDA, SNA, OMA, and CMA, respectively, after 5 days at 24°C in the dark; E–H, aerial conidiophores, phialides, and microconidia; H, microconidia (0-septate); I, chlamydospore.