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Revisiting the emerging pathosystem of rice sheath blight: deciphering the Rhizoctonia solani virulence, host range, and rice genotype-based resistance

Summary

Researchers studied a fungus that causes rice leaf disease in Egypt by isolating and testing different strains to understand why some were more damaging than others. They found the most aggressive strain produced more enzymes that break down plant cell walls, making it more harmful. The team also tested which rice varieties were naturally resistant to the disease and identified specific genes that could help breeders develop disease-resistant rice varieties without needing fungicide chemicals.

Background

Rice sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1 IA, is a globally significant fungal disease affecting rice production. The disease is particularly challenging in Egypt where rice cultivation is a major agricultural activity. Understanding pathogen virulence mechanisms and host resistance sources is essential for developing effective disease management strategies.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and characterize R. solani isolates from Egyptian rice farms, determine the relationship between pathogen virulence and cell wall degrading enzyme production, assess the host range of the most aggressive isolate, and evaluate rice genotype-based resistance to identify reliable resistance sources for breeding programs.

Results

Nine R. solani AG1 IA isolates were identified, with SHBP9 being the most aggressive, producing the highest relative lesion height (63.98%) and overproducing cell wall degrading enzymes. SHBP9 infected 12 rice-associated weeds and 25 economic crops, with resistance in chickpea, rocket, and four Solanaceae crops. Eleven rice genotypes clustered into three groups: two resistant (Egyptian Yasmine and Giza 182), four moderately resistant, and five susceptible genotypes, with Indica genotypes showing more resistance than Japonica types.

Conclusion

The study identified the most virulent R. solani isolate and its correlation with cell wall degrading enzyme overproduction, determined its broad host range, and identified reliable rice genotype-based resistance sources. These findings provide insights into pathogenicity mechanisms and support the development of sustainable, eco-friendly disease management strategies through resistant rice variety development.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Plant Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1499785, PMID: 39748817
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