Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2022) | Viewed by 14365

Special Issue Editors

Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Bari, Italy
Interests: plant protection; invertebrate pathology; rhizosphere microbiology; soil ecology
CNR, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection
Interests: Gene expression; Plant–endophyte interactions; Transcriptomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploitation of beneficial microorganisms is considered a safe alternative to pesticides for crop protection and management. Many practical and social issues underpin this assumption, including human safety, environment and biodiversity protection, cost of conventional technologies, and insurgence of resistance in pests. There are, however, few examples of successful exploitation of invertebrate pathogens or parasites, in contrast to the still large use of pesticides, worldwide. A notable exception is represented by Bt-based products.

Two concepts are recognized at the base of plant protection and pest management: 1) There are no living organisms on earth that can be considered free from disease, antagonism, or competition, and 2) Crops represent the first permanent change induced by man, on a global scale. The cultivated field is the first environment modified by man through sowing, deforestation, soil reclamation, and selection of cropped plants. All these actions still affect plant biodiversity and their distribution in space and, indirectly, the distribution of pests and of their associated microbiomes. Yet, considering that only an estimated 10% of the whole microbial diversity has been thus far identified and characterized on earth, the amount of information produced on the biology, diversity, and ecology of many invertebrate-associated microorganisms is far from exhaustive. Data on interacting species and processes are needed, on many pests and from many environments.

The evolution and/or conservation of good agricultural practices also require strategies based on monitoring and modeling the behavior and biological cycle of parasites and pathogens. From this perspective, plant pests and diseases can be considered not only as the factors responsible for productivity losses in agriculture but also as the last and visible effect of changes originating in the genetics of crops (biodiversity/monocultures), transport (epidemics/invasive species), human actions (climate changes), movement of goods (globalization), land management, or in relation to loss of biodiversity and mass extinctions. Following the spread and modification of their distribution boundaries, many alien species are now able to reach and colonize new cultivated areas. In the absence of natural indigenous control agents, they represent a threat to many production systems. Any new information on their ecology and adaptation to local microbial antagonists and symbiont communities is, therefore, welcome.

Advances in the last decades concerning the application of mass sequencing technologies allowed an unprecedented capacity to study in detail the complex interactions that link host and pathogens, including the sophisticated evolutionary adaptations of obligate symbionts or of pest-interacting endophytic species. The focus of this Special Issue is on highlighting the role of microbial parasites and pathogens in their tri-trophic interaction with plants and invertebrate pests such as insects, nematodes, and mites. Our goal is to gather contributions describing results from original experimental work, as well as biogeographic reports, on new host–parasite associations and the application of forecasting and descriptive models, as well as molecular studies on pathogens and symbionts. Reviews offering new perspectives, including omic-based and molecular ecology data on the biology of invasive species and associated microbiomes, are also welcome. 

Dr. Aurelio Ciancio
Dr. Isabella Pentimone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biocontrol
  • fungi
  • gene expression
  • endophytes
  • endosymbionts
  • insect pathogens
  • invasive species
  • invertebrate pathology
  • microbiome
  • mite pathogens
  • modeling
  • nematode parasites
  • plant–endophyte–pest interactions
  • population dynamics
  • rhizosphere microbiology
  • soil food webs
  • transciptomics

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1601 KiB  
Article
First Record of Clonostachys rosea (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Entomopathogenic Fungus in the Mango Hopper Amritodus atkinsoni (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
by Abhishek Kumar Tamta, Renu Pandey, Jiten R. Sharma, Rajnish Rai, Mritunjoy Barman, Deeksha M. G., Debasis Mitra, Pradeep Kumar Das Mohapatra, Rokayya Sami, Amina A. M. Al-Mushhin, Fadi Baakdah, Yasser S. Mostafa, Sulaiman A. Alrumman and Mahmoud Helal
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1447; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11121447 - 30 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1584
Abstract
Mango hopper (Amritodus atkinsoni Lethierry) causes devastations in the early vegetative stage of the mango crop. The classical management of mango hopper is with systemic insecticides but their overuse has caused environmental pollution. Here, we have evaluated the entomopathogenic role of Clonostachys [...] Read more.
Mango hopper (Amritodus atkinsoni Lethierry) causes devastations in the early vegetative stage of the mango crop. The classical management of mango hopper is with systemic insecticides but their overuse has caused environmental pollution. Here, we have evaluated the entomopathogenic role of Clonostachys rosea through bioassay and optimized media for its large-scale culturing. The current study reveals the potentiality of C. rosea as entomopathogenic on A. atkinsoni. Initially, morphological and molecular characterization was used to validate local isolates’ identity as C. rosea. Further, we have evaluated the entomopathogenic role of C. rosea through a bioassay, where the highest mean mortality in A. atkinsoni was observed at a treatment concentration of 3 × 108 conidia/mL, with 96.67% mortality after 168 h of infection. This work also provides insight into the laboratory-based media standardization for C. rosea, resulting in oatmeal agar media and broth as the most suitable artificial media, and 20 °C temperature for its mass culture. Thus, C. rosea is a novo-entomopathogenic fungus on A. atkinsoni and has a high potency to be included in the management of mango hopper pests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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12 pages, 1649 KiB  
Article
Exploring Anastomosis of Hyphae and Mating-Type Compatibility of Pochonia chlamydosporia Isolates of the Meloidogyne, Heterodera and Globodera Biotypes
by Mariella Matilde Finetti-Sialer and Rosa Helena Manzanilla-López
Pathogens 2022, 11(6), 619; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11060619 - 26 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1546
Abstract
The endophytic and nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is an efficient biological control agent of plant-parasitic nematodes. Isolates of the fungus can be allocated to a biotype group according to the nematode host, but it is unknown if genetic interchange can occur between different [...] Read more.
The endophytic and nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is an efficient biological control agent of plant-parasitic nematodes. Isolates of the fungus can be allocated to a biotype group according to the nematode host, but it is unknown if genetic interchange can occur between different biotypes, which may affect their parasitic performance. An anastomosis assay was conducted in vitro to assess hyphae vegetative compatibility/incompatibility followed by a PCR-based mating-type assay genotyping of five isolates of P. chlamydosporia var. chlamydoporia of the Meloidogyne sp. (Pc10, Pc190, Pc309), Globodera sp. (Pc280) and Heterodera avenae (Pc60) biotypes, including 16 pairwise isolates combinations in four replicates. Pairwise combinations were tested on glass slides and mycelia were stained to confirm nuclei migration between anastomosing hyphae using fluorescence microscopy. Anastomosis only occurred between mycelium hyphae of the same isolate and biotype. Mating-type PCR-based molecular assays showed that all isolates were heterothallic. The MAT1-1 genotype was found in isolates Pc10, Pc190, Pc280, Pc309, and the MAT1-2 genotype in Pc60. The results showed a vegetative incompatibility among isolates, suggesting the occurrence of such interactions for their respective biotypes. Anastomosis and PCR mating-type results suggest that different fungal biotypes can occur in the same niche but that genetic incompatibility mechanisms, such as mating-type, may limit or impede viable heterokaryosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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10 pages, 3548 KiB  
Article
Observations on a Novel Bacterial Pathogen of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
by Aurelio Ciancio
Pathogens 2021, 10(10), 1226; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10101226 - 22 Sep 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2227
Abstract
A novel Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium (BN) was discovered in second-stage juveniles (J2) of root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.). Mature bacteria showed a peculiar rod morphology characterized by four cells sequentially joined at septa. Mature rods measured 4–5 × 0.5–0.6 μm and were characterized [...] Read more.
A novel Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium (BN) was discovered in second-stage juveniles (J2) of root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.). Mature bacteria showed a peculiar rod morphology characterized by four cells sequentially joined at septa. Mature rods measured 4–5 × 0.5–0.6 μm and were characterized by the emptying and tapering of both apical cells. The data showed an electron-dense external matrix forming a coating capsule involved in host attachment. The rods were not motile and packed in parallel inside the J2 body. After J2 penetration by adhering, germinating cells, the bacterium proliferated until the host body content was completely digested, producing a lethal disease. Parasitized hosts were recognized using light microscopy by a pale creamy-brown color assumed at parasitism completion. At death, the whole nematode body was filled with cells and only a few sclerotized esophageal structures (i.e., stylet, median bulb) remained visible. The BN cells were quickly released at host body rupture, suggesting that J2 infection occurs through passive adhesion of cells dispersed in soil. The bacterium appeared fastidious, as attempts to obtain pure cultures on common nutritive media failed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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12 pages, 1160 KiB  
Communication
Observations on the Relationships between Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Maize
by Brianna Flonc, Mary Barbercheck and Imtiaz Ahmad
Pathogens 2021, 10(6), 713; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10060713 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2991
Abstract
Fungi in the genus Metarhizium are entomopathogens that can establish endophytically inside plants and benefit them through growth promotion and pest suppression. Lab- and greenhouse-based experiments were conducted to examine the effects of endophytic M. robertsii colonization in maize (Zea mays) [...] Read more.
Fungi in the genus Metarhizium are entomopathogens that can establish endophytically inside plants and benefit them through growth promotion and pest suppression. Lab- and greenhouse-based experiments were conducted to examine the effects of endophytic M. robertsii colonization in maize (Zea mays) on fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda). Maize seeds were inoculated with M. robertsii conidia, plants were evaluated for endophytic colonization, and then relative growth rate (RGR) and feeding behavior of larval FAW fed leaves from inoculated and uninoculated maize were measured. Endophytic M. robertsii was recovered from 60.5% of inoculated maize. In feeding bioassays, the RGR of larval FAW fed leaves of inoculated maize was no different than the RGR of larvae fed leaves from uninoculated maize. The RGR of larval FAW was positively correlated with the proportion of endophytic colonization of maize leaf and root tissues; however, in feeding assays, FAW larvae demonstrated no preference for consuming leaf tissue from inoculated or uninoculated maize. The proportion of leaf tissue consumed was unrelated to the proportion of M. robertsii-colonization of leaf or root tissue from source plants. We discuss possible reasons why FAW were not affected by endophytic M. robertsii in the context of assay methodology, FAW physiology, and induced maize defenses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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13 pages, 1435 KiB  
Communication
Effect of Soil Chemical Properties on the Occurrence and Distribution of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Portuguese Grapevine Fields
by Lav Sharma, Irene Oliveira, Fátima Gonçalves, Fernando Raimundo, Rupesh Kumar Singh, Laura Torres and Guilhermina Marques
Pathogens 2021, 10(2), 137; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10020137 - 30 Jan 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2150
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) contribute to different ecosystem services. However, factors affecting their natural occurrences in soil remain poorly understood. In a previous study, 81 soil samples were subjected to insect baiting using Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor to isolate EPF from Portuguese vine [...] Read more.
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) contribute to different ecosystem services. However, factors affecting their natural occurrences in soil remain poorly understood. In a previous study, 81 soil samples were subjected to insect baiting using Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor to isolate EPF from Portuguese vine farms. Here, soils yielding any of the four common EPF, i.e., Beauveria bassiana, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Metarhizium robertsii, and Clonostachys rosea f. rosea, were correlated with their chemical properties. Beauveria bassiana was negatively affected by higher available P (p = 0.02), exchangeable K-ions (p = 0.016) and positively affected by higher soil pH_H2O (p = 0.021). High exchangeable K-ions inhibited P. lilacinum (p = 0.011) and promoted C. rosea f. rosea (p = 0.03). Moreover, high available K also suppressed P. lilacinum (p = 0.027). Metarhizium robertsii was inhibited by higher organic matter content (p = 0.009), higher C:N (p = 0.017), total N (p = 0.007), and exchangeable Mg-ions (p = 0.026), and promoted by higher exchangeable Na-ions (p = 0.003). Nonetheless, mean comparisons and principal component analysis suggested that higher soil pH and exchangeable Ca-ions have contrasting effects on EPF occurrences, as they promote B. bassiana and inhibit M. robertsii. Herbicides did not seem to affect EPF presence. Overall, this study is among the first reports on the effects of soil chemistry on EPF other than Metarhizium, and will facilitate biological pest management approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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20 pages, 2648 KiB  
Article
Protein Elicitor PeBL1 of Brevibacillus laterosporus Enhances Resistance Against Myzus persicae in Tomato
by Khadija Javed and Dewen Qiu
Pathogens 2020, 9(1), 57; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens9010057 - 14 Jan 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2978
Abstract
Myzus persicae, a destructive aphid of tomato usually managed by chemical pesticides, is responsible for huge annual losses in agriculture. In the current work, a protein elicitor, PeBL1, was investigated for its capacity to induce a defense response against M. persicae in [...] Read more.
Myzus persicae, a destructive aphid of tomato usually managed by chemical pesticides, is responsible for huge annual losses in agriculture. In the current work, a protein elicitor, PeBL1, was investigated for its capacity to induce a defense response against M. persicae in tomato. Population growth rates of M. persicae (second and third generation) decreased with PeBL1 treatments as compared with controls. In a host selection assay, M. persicae showed preference for colonizing control plants as compared to tomato seedlings treated with PeBL1. Tomato leaves treated with PeBL1 gave rise to a hazardous surface environment for M. persicae due to formation of trichomes and wax. Jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET) showed significant accumulation in tomato seedlings treated by PeBL1. The following results showed that PeBL1 significantly modified the tomato leaf surface structure to reduce reproduction and deter colonization by M. persicae. Defense processes also included activation of JA, SA, and ET pathways. The study provides evidence for use of PeBL1 in the protection of tomato from M. persicae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Microbe-Invertebrate Pest Interactions)
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