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Transmission of apple stem grooving virus (Capillovirus mali) to apple from the soil-borne fungus Fusarium solani

Summary

Scientists discovered that a common soil fungus called Fusarium solani can catch and spread apple viruses to apple trees through their roots. This fungus naturally harbors the apple stem grooving virus and can pass it to healthy apple plants, causing reduced growth and damage to roots. The virus spreads within the fungus population both horizontally and vertically, suggesting fungi may be a previously unknown source of apple virus infection in orchards.

Background

Apple viruses are primarily spread through grafting and pruning, but wild apple trees carry viruses of unknown origin. Recent studies demonstrate cross-kingdom transmission of viruses between plants and fungi, suggesting fungi may serve as virus reservoirs or vectors for apple viruses.

Objective

This study investigates whether soil-borne fungi can acquire and transmit apple viruses, specifically examining the role of Fusarium solani as a potential vector for apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) transmission to apple plants.

Results

Four F. solani isolates naturally harbored ASGV, which was transmitted vertically through asexual spores and horizontally through mycelial fusion. ASGV-carrying F. solani successfully infected apple seedlings via root inoculation, causing systemic infection, reduced plant growth, and impaired root development more severely than virus-free fungal strains.

Conclusion

F. solani is identified as a novel vector for cross-kingdom transmission of ASGV in apple orchards. The virus persists in fungal populations through horizontal and vertical transmission, demonstrating a previously unreported transmission pathway that impacts disease management strategies in apple cultivation.
  • Published in:BMC Plant Biology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12870-025-07188-0, PMID: 41023582
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