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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403862
Research Project: Disease Management and Improved Detection Systems for Control of Pathogens of Vegetables and Strawberries

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Go in for the kill: the influence of temperature on necrotrophic growth of Macrophomina phaseolina on strawberry

Author
item DILLA-ERMITA, JADE - University Of California
item PENNERMAN, KAYLA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Gutierrez, Olivia
item Jimenez, Zoey
item Ramos, Gerardo
item INFANTE, SARA - Former ARS Employee
item Goldman, Polly
item Henry, Peter

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/26/2023
Publication Date: 8/12/2023
Citation: Dilla-Ermita, J., Pennerman, K., Gutierrez, O.R., Jimenez, Z.D., Ramos, G., Infante, S., Goldman, P.H., Henry, P.M. 2023. Go in for the kill: The influence of temperature on necrotrophic growth of Macrophomina phaseolina on strawberry. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, August 12-16, 2023, Denver, Colorado.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina has become more destructive in strawberry production in recent years. We hypothesize that higher temperatures from heat waves accelerate the switch to necrotrophy, leading to upregulation of necrotrophy- and pathogenicity-related genes. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a growth chamber experiment using constant 23'C (low) and 30'C (high) temperature treatments with 12 hours light cycle. Month-old strawberry daughter plants of San Andreas (5 daughters per treatment) were inoculated with M. phaseolina by dipping roots in 8% mycelial suspension or sterile 10% V8 broth. Symptoms were documented and root tissues were harvested at 1-, 5-, 12-, and 21-days post inoculation (dpi). Samples were processed for RNA sequencing and microscopy. This experiment with another susceptible cultivar, Monterey. At 5dpi, more severe root necrosis and crown discoloration were observed in inoculated plants at high temperature compared to those at low temperature. After 12 days, inoculated plants at high temperature exhibited more severe wilting and plant death compared to those incubated in cooler temperature. Though transcriptomic analysis is still underway, preliminary results have demonstrated that a shift to necrotrophy was accelerated by high temperatures, occurring as early as 5dpi and leading to plant death at 12 dpi. Thus, strategies to moderate soil or air temperatures in strawberry growing areas could help to control charcoal rot.