The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes
The fungal endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 is a biocontrol agent of Fusarium head blight in wheat (caused by <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>), which has shown a limited direct inhibition of fungal growth in vitro. We used RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS analyses to elucidate metab...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/4/345 |
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| author | Edward C. Rojas Birgit Jensen Hans J. L. Jørgensen Meike A. C. Latz Pilar Esteban David B. Collinge |
| author_facet | Edward C. Rojas Birgit Jensen Hans J. L. Jørgensen Meike A. C. Latz Pilar Esteban David B. Collinge |
| author_sort | Edward C. Rojas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The fungal endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 is a biocontrol agent of Fusarium head blight in wheat (caused by <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>), which has shown a limited direct inhibition of fungal growth in vitro. We used RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS analyses to elucidate metabolic interactions of the three-way system Penicillium–wheat–Fusarium in greenhouse experiments. We demonstrated that <i>P. olsonii</i> ML37 colonises wheat spikes and transiently activates plant defence mechanisms, as pretreated spikes show a faster and stronger expression of the defence metabolism during the first 24 h after pathogen inoculation. This effect was transient and the expression of the same genes was lower in the pathogen-infected spikes than in those infected by <i>P. olsonii</i> alone. This response to the endophyte includes the transcriptional activation of several WRKY transcription factors. This early activation is associated with a reduction in FHB symptoms and significantly lower levels of the <i>F. graminearum</i> metabolites 15-acetyl-DON and culmorin. An increase in the Penicillium-associated metabolite asperphanamate confirms colonisation by the endophyte. Our results suggest that the mode of action used by <i>P. olsonii</i> ML37 is via a local defence activation in wheat spikes, and that this fungus has potential as a novel biological alternative in wheat disease control. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:31:43Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:31:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-5149b8b6aa7e42ec804e4695c10625492023-12-03T13:34:27ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2022-03-018434510.3390/jof8040345The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat SpikesEdward C. Rojas0Birgit Jensen1Hans J. L. Jørgensen2Meike A. C. Latz3Pilar Esteban4David B. Collinge5Section for Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkSection for Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkCopenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkCopenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkSection for Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkSection for Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Copenhagen, DenmarkThe fungal endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 is a biocontrol agent of Fusarium head blight in wheat (caused by <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>), which has shown a limited direct inhibition of fungal growth in vitro. We used RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS analyses to elucidate metabolic interactions of the three-way system Penicillium–wheat–Fusarium in greenhouse experiments. We demonstrated that <i>P. olsonii</i> ML37 colonises wheat spikes and transiently activates plant defence mechanisms, as pretreated spikes show a faster and stronger expression of the defence metabolism during the first 24 h after pathogen inoculation. This effect was transient and the expression of the same genes was lower in the pathogen-infected spikes than in those infected by <i>P. olsonii</i> alone. This response to the endophyte includes the transcriptional activation of several WRKY transcription factors. This early activation is associated with a reduction in FHB symptoms and significantly lower levels of the <i>F. graminearum</i> metabolites 15-acetyl-DON and culmorin. An increase in the Penicillium-associated metabolite asperphanamate confirms colonisation by the endophyte. Our results suggest that the mode of action used by <i>P. olsonii</i> ML37 is via a local defence activation in wheat spikes, and that this fungus has potential as a novel biological alternative in wheat disease control.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/4/345asperphenamatebiological controlculmorinendophyteFusarium head blightinduced resistance |
| spellingShingle | Edward C. Rojas Birgit Jensen Hans J. L. Jørgensen Meike A. C. Latz Pilar Esteban David B. Collinge The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes Journal of Fungi asperphenamate biological control culmorin endophyte Fusarium head blight induced resistance |
| title | The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes |
| title_full | The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes |
| title_fullStr | The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes |
| title_short | The Fungal Endophyte <i>Penicillium olsonii</i> ML37 Reduces Fusarium Head Blight by Local Induced Resistance in Wheat Spikes |
| title_sort | fungal endophyte i penicillium olsonii i ml37 reduces fusarium head blight by local induced resistance in wheat spikes |
| topic | asperphenamate biological control culmorin endophyte Fusarium head blight induced resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/4/345 |
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