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Identification and virulence factors prediction of Didymella segeticola causing leaf spot disease in Asarum heterotropoides in China

Summary

Researchers identified a fungus called Didymella segeticola as the cause of a leaf spot disease affecting Chinese wild ginger, a valuable medicinal plant grown in northeastern China. The disease is causing significant crop losses, with up to 75% of fields affected. Scientists analyzed the fungus’s genes and identified 87 proteins that help it cause disease, which could help develop better ways to prevent the disease in the future.

Background

Chinese wild ginger (Asarum heterotropoides) is a perennial medicinal herb cultivated extensively in northeastern China. In 2022, a leaf spot disease emerged in Xinbin with a 75.2% diseased field rate and 5.0% estimated crop loss. The causative agent was previously unknown.

Objective

To identify the fungal pathogen causing leaf spot disease in Asarum heterotropoides and predict virulence factors associated with pathogenicity. The study aimed to expand the documented host range and pathogenic mechanisms of the identified pathogen.

Results

Seven strains were identified as Didymella segeticola, confirmed by phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Pathogenicity tests confirmed D. segeticola as the causal agent. Bioinformatic analysis identified 87 putative virulence-associated proteins: 54 lethal proteins (TOXA gene), 19 hypervirulence proteins (ChVel1, ChLae1), and 14 effector proteins (SRE1, Cgfl, StACE1, RsRplA). PPI network analysis revealed distinct functional modules correlating virulence factors with pathogenic phenotypes.

Conclusion

D. segeticola is confirmed as a new pathogen causing Asarum leaf spot in northeastern China, extending its geographic and host range. The identification of 87 virulence effectors provides crucial insights into pathogenic mechanisms. These findings establish a theoretical foundation for future functional characterization of virulence factors and development of disease management strategies.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Original Research,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-025-94398-z
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