Home • Fusarium oxysporum 212A_T16_2 v1.0
Photo of Fusarium oxysporum 212A_T16_2 v1.0
Fusarium oxysporum 212A_T16_2 growing in the lab.
Image Credit: Kathryn Bushley

Within the framework of JGI Community Sequencing Project “Defensive Mutualism of Fungal Root Endophytes of Soybean”, we are investigating the potential role of fungal endophytes isolated from soybean roots in protecting against two root pathogens: 1) the root rot fungus causing Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (Fusarium virguliforme) and the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). These fungi were screened for either anti-fungal or anti-nematode activity in-vitro and genome, transcriptome, and metabolome sequencing will address possible mechanisms of antagonism against these pathogens.

Fusarium oxysporum is a member of a large species complex (FOSC) that includes fungal species or forma specialis that are specialized on a diversity of different hosts and have diverse ecological lifestyles ranging from mutualists of plants (e.g. endophytes) to pathogens of humans and wilt or root rot pathogens of many crop plants. Host-specificity is thought to be determined in part by accessory chromosomes that may harbor genes encoding toxins and effectors required for pathogenicity against a particular host (Yang et al., 2020, Williams et al., 2016). In soybean, some F. oxysporum isolates may be asymptomatic endophytes, while others cause root rot disease (Li and Ma, 2011). F. oxysporum has also shown activity against nematodes (Mennan et al., 2005, Waweru et al., 2014), potentially mediated through production of secondary metabolites (Kundu et al., 2016, Kwon et al., 2007). This strain was isolated as an endophyte from soybean roots, but closely related strains were also isolated from soybean cyst nematode cysts.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI (Dr. Kathryn Bushley) and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).

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