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The Mycovirome in a Worldwide Collection of the Brown Rot Fungus Monilinia fructicola

Summary

This research investigated viruses that infect a fungus causing brown rot disease in fruit crops. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, scientists discovered 33 different viruses living within this fungal pathogen, most of which were previously unknown. This discovery is significant for understanding how these viruses might affect the fungus and potentially help control plant diseases. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to new environmentally friendly methods to protect fruit crops from brown rot disease – May reduce crop losses and help maintain stable fruit prices for consumers – Contributes to developing sustainable agriculture practices that don’t rely on chemical fungicides – Could help improve food security by protecting important food crops – Advances our understanding of viral diversity and evolution in agricultural systems

Background

Monilinia fructicola is a destructive fungal pathogen causing brown rot on stone and pome fruit, leading to significant pre- and post-harvest losses. While mycoviruses are known to infect fungal plant pathogens, limited information exists about viruses infecting Monilinia species. Understanding the viral diversity in M. fructicola could provide insights into virus-host interactions and potential biocontrol applications.

Objective

To investigate and characterize the complete mycovirome (viral community) in a worldwide collection of 58 M. fructicola strains using a metagenomic approach through deep sequencing of double-stranded RNA extracts.

Results

The study identified 33 distinct viruses, including 32 positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses and one novel ssDNA virus. The findings included twelve mitoviruses, one splipalmivirus, twelve botourmiaviruses, two hypoviruses, three fusariviruses, one barnavirus, and one novel beny-like virus – the first identified in Ascomycetes. Additionally, they discovered a partial sequence of a new putative ssDNA mycovirus related to the Parvoviridae family in a Serbian M. fructicola isolate.

Conclusion

This comprehensive analysis revealed a great abundance and variety of mycoviruses in M. fructicola, significantly expanding our understanding of viral diversity in this important plant pathogen. The genomic sequences obtained provide a foundation for future research into virus-host interactions and potential biocontrol applications against brown rot disease.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Metagenomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof8050481
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