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Exploring fungal pathogens to control the plant invasive Rubus niveus on Galapagos Island San Cristobal

Summary

Hill raspberry is a problematic invasive plant covering vast areas of the Galapagos Islands and harming native species. Researchers collected diseased Hill raspberry samples and identified five fungal pathogens that naturally infect the plant. These fungi have potential to be developed as biological control agents to manage the invasive species without using chemical herbicides. Further testing is needed to ensure these fungi only target Hill raspberry and do not harm other plants.

Background

Rubus niveus (Hill raspberry) is a highly invasive plant species covering approximately 30,000 hectares across the Galapagos archipelago, displacing native and endemic species. Current control methods such as manual removal and herbicide application have proven ineffective and economically costly. The study aimed to identify endemic fungal pathogens as potential biological control agents for this invasive species.

Objective

This research aimed to evaluate the microbiome and culturable phytopathogenic fungi isolated from wounds or lesions of Hill raspberry in the highlands of San Cristobal, Galapagos, to identify candidate biocontrol fungi. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on healthy leaves to assess whether fungal isolates induced disease symptoms, and selected isolates were identified using morphological and DNA techniques.

Results

Microbiome analysis revealed significant differences in fungal communities between healthy and diseased leaves, with enrichment of pathogenic genera in diseased tissue. From 595 isolated fungi, 226 groups with distinct morphologies were identified, and five isolates consistently caused lesions on Hill raspberry leaves: Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Fusarium concentricum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Penicillium rolfsii. Most fungi required mechanical damage to initiate infection, suggesting they may act as opportunistic pathogens.

Conclusion

Five fungal pathogens were identified as potential candidates for biological control of invasive Hill raspberry in the Galapagos. Future research should explore the suitability of these fungi as biocontrol agents, including host-range testing and whole-plant pathogenicity assays to assess their safety and ecological impact. These findings represent the first attempt to identify emerging pathogens within the Galapagos Islands specifically for biocontrol purposes.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Original Research,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-025-08949-5, PMID: 40596352
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