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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM)".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2023) | Viewed by 18125

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Dr. Vladimir K. Chebotar

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Guest Editor

All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, Podbelskogo hwy, 3, Pushkin, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: agricultural microbiology; mechanisms of plant-microbial interactions; development of microbial technologies for agriculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Anastasiya M. Kamionskaya

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Guest Editor

Institute of Bioengineering, Research Centre of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
Interests: agrobiotechnology; plant genome editing; plant biosafety; molecular phytopathology; plant phytopathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of “Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management” focuses on plant–pathogen interactions, biocontrol of diseases, and advances in disease management, including environment-safe technologies and products. This Special Issue of Horticulturae is also devoted to innovative tools developed in the area of horticultural crop disease control to provide international scientists and producers with strategies for reducing various types of risks with the use of genome editing technology. Safe-by-design strategies for genome-edited or transgenic plants and “genetic firewall” might be used to finally control plant diseases caused by pathogens and environmental conditions. At the same time, advances in disease management technology—pathogen detection methods, NGS, bioinformatics analyses, etc.—are essential for better detection and control of the ongoing evolution and movement of horticulture plant pathogens.

Hence, we invite you to contribute to this issue to support future sustainable agricultural development. Original papers, reviews, and comments are welcome

Dr. Vladimir K. Chebotar
Dr. Anastasiya M. Kamionskaya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant-pathogen interactions
biocontrol
disease management
horticultural plants phytopathology
phytopathogen detection
transgenic and genome-edited horticultural plants
genetic firewall for plants
plant disease resistance

Related Special Issue

Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management Volume II in Horticulturae (1 article)

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metal Micronutrient and Silicon Concentration Effects on Growth and Susceptibility to Pythium Root Rot for Hydroponic Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

by Kalyn M. Helms, Ryan W. Dickson, Matthew B. Bertucci, Alejandro A. Rojas and Kristen E. Gibson

Horticulturae 2023, 9(6), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060670 - 5 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1277

Abstract

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of increasing metal micronutrient concentrations and silicon (Si) concentrations on plant growth and susceptibility to Pythium root rot with hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In the first experiment, lettuce was grown in hydroponic solutions with metal micronutrients iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) supplied at either 0, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg∙L⁻¹. A standard commercial hydroponic solution was also included as a control, with metal micronutrients supplied at 2 Fe, 1 Mn, 0.5 Cu, and 0.5 Zn mg∙L⁻¹. In the second experiment, hydroponic lettuce was grown with Si at 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 mg∙L⁻¹. Hydroponic treatment solutions for both experiments were either dosed with Pythium myriotylum (Pythium treatment) at 1.80 × 10⁴ oospores per L or deionized water as a non-Pythium control. Data were collected on leaf SPAD chlorophyll content, shoot height and width, total plant fresh mass, and root disease severity. Increasing the Cu concentration in solution decreased Pythium disease severity but reduced lettuce growth and yield. Increasing the concentration of the other metal micronutrients also tended to reduce lettuce growth but had no significant influence on root disease. Supplementing the hydroponic solution with Si had no effect on Pythium root disease severity and slightly decreased lettuce growth at 56 mg∙L⁻¹ Si. Results of this study suggest that the management of micronutrients and Si nutrition is not an effective strategy and, at best, a risky strategy for controlling Pythium in hydroponic lettuce. Growers would likely benefit from maintaining metal micronutrient and Si concentrations within the ranges of (in mg∙L⁻¹) 0.5 to 5.5 for Fe, 0.1 to 2.0 for Mn, 0.1 to 0.6 for Cu, 0.1 to 0.6 for Zn, and 0 to 28 for Si for many hydroponic crops. Supplementing Si has the potential to negatively influence plant growth and quality for certain plant species, and testing is necessary to evaluate phytotoxicity risks prior to implementing in commercial practice. Overall, successful mitigation of root rot pathogens in commercial hydroponic production requires the combination of proper sanitation, best management and cultural practices, appropriate hydroponic system design, and the implementation of a water treatment system with proper design and a multi-barrier approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

17 pages, 3389 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Complete Genome Sequence, Molecular Detection, and Anatomical Analysis of Hibiscus Chlorotic Ringspot Virus Infecting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Peninsular Malaysia

by Mohd Shakir Mohamad Yusop, Normawati Lanisa, Noraini Talip, Mohd Faiz Mat Saad, Azlan Abas, Murni Nazira Sarian, Hamizah Shahirah Hamezah, Sarahani Harun and Hamidun Bunawan

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050569 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1668

Abstract

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia and is widely cultivated as landscape planting across the nation. In 1995, Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRSV) was reported for the first time in Malaysia. Until today, there have been no follow-up studies on the viral infection in the plant, yet the virus symptom of chlorotic spots has been observed throughout the Hibiscus population. Therefore, this study aimed to report the complete genome sequence of the HCRSV, validate a molecular detection tool for its diagnosis, and measure the impact of the virus symptom and infection in H. rosa-sinensis. This study reported the complete genome of the HCRSV through RNA sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis of the HCRSV isolated from different geographical sources and several other related viruses was performed to confirm its identity and classification. Additionally, primers based on the genome sequence were designed and used for RT-PCR to detect the presence of the virus in symptomatic leaves, further confirming the HCRSV identity and presence. Meanwhile, the impact of the virus was measured by examining the anatomical and morphological changes in the leaf structure of symptomatic samples. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine potential adaptations and comparisons between the leaf structures of healthy and infected samples, especially in the leaf lamina, petiole, and midrib cells. The results confirmed the complete genome sequence of the HCRSV, its molecular detection strategy, and the impact of the viral infection on Hibiscus leaves in Peninsular Malaysia. This study is beneficial for the management strategy of the virus and for protecting an important plant in the nation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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12 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification, Biocontrol Activity, and Field Application Effect of Bacillus velezensis Yb-1

by Bao Wang, Erfeng Li, Yang Lin, Tongbin Xiao, Xuncong Ji, Zhixiang Zhao and Wanrong Yan

Horticulturae 2023, 9(3), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030376 - 13 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1452

Abstract

Colletotrichum capsici is one of the most important pathogens on chili peppers. Unreasonable application of chemical fungicides will lead to threats to human and animal health, environmental damage, and increased fungicide resistance to pathogens. As an alternative strategy, biological control has been paid more and more attention by academics. In this study, the Yb-1 strain was isolated from healthy cucumber leaves, which could significantly restrict the mycelium growth of C. capsici and Botrytis cinerea, with inhibition rates of 93.49% and 74.03%, respectively. Strain Yb-1 was identified as Bacillus velezensis by morphological features and 16S rRNA gene, gyrA gene, and gyrB gene sequence analysis. When pepper seeds were treated with different concentrations of bacterial suspension, we found that a medium-concentration treatment (10⁴ CFU/mL and 10⁵ CFU/mL) could promote seed germination and growth, while high-concentration treatments (10⁸ CFU/mL) limited seed germination and growth. In addition, the root-irrigation method, acupuncture-leaf method, and leaf-cutting method were used to evaluate the safety of strain Yb-1 on peppers. The results indicated that Yb-1 did not affect the normal growth of peppers. The results of further field trials showed that the control effect of strain Yb-1 on pepper anthracnose was 59.45%. Thus, the strain B. velezensis Yb-1 has great biocontrol potential for pepper anthracnose and promotes plant growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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15 pages, 1601 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparison of Different Physical Methods and Preservatives for Control of Fusarium proliferatum Rot in Garlic

by Laura La Placa, Paola Giorni, Letizia Mondani, Naresh Magan and Paola Battilani

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121203 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1498

Abstract

Dry rot is an emerging issue for garlic production worldwide and Fusarium proliferatum is its major causal agent. Since the disease is seed-transmitted, sowing healthy cloves is crucial. In this study, some disinfection strategies were tested on garlic seeds, including steam, dry heat, chemical disinfectants and gaseous ozone (O₃). Steam reduced the Colony Forming Units·g⁻¹ (CFUs·g⁻¹) by up to 92% in garlic seeds, but, at the same time, it affected their germination (−36%). Similarly, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and peracetic acid (C₂H₄O₃) reduced the CFUs·g⁻¹ by up to 83%; however, these methods also severely impaired germination (−40%). Dry heat did not negatively impact germination, but fungal contamination was not significantly reduced. The most promising strategy was gaseous O₃ treatment; it decreased CFUs·g⁻¹ by up to 96%, without causing any reduction of germination. The treatments applied were partially effective because the fungus is predominantly located in the outer layer of the seed, although it is also found in the inner portions. Some of these treatments can contribute to garlic protection from seed-borne pathogens and possibly reduce the occurrence of garlic dry rot. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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11 pages, 2215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Specific and Sensitive Detection of Mycocentrospora acerina (Hart.) Causing Round Leaf Spot Disease in Sanqi (Panax notoginseng)

by Chengzhong Lan, Lin Gan, Yuli Dai, Xiaofei Liu and Xiujuan Yang

Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111060 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1281

Abstract

Round leaf spot, caused by Mycocentrospora acerina, is one of the most destructive diseases in Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) plantations in China. Accurate and timely detection of M. acerina is critical for developing effective integrated disease management strategies. Therefore, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of M. acerina with primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). The LAMP reaction products were visually assessed using SYBR Green I and agarose gel electrophoresis. The ideal reaction temperature and time of LAMP assay were optimized to 64.5 °C and 45 min, respectively. The specificity of the developed LAMP assay was validated using 78 isolates belonging to 26 species, including M. acerina, Mycocentrospora species, and other plant pathogens. The LAMP assay was highly specific for M. acerina. Positive reactions were obtained only with the genomic DNA of M. acerina, and no cross-reaction was obtained with DNA extracted from other species. The detection limit of the LAMP assay for M. acerina was 10 fg genomic DNA per 25-μL reaction mixture. The LAMP assay successfully detected M. acerina in both symptomatic and latently infected leaf samples. The results indicate that the LAMP assay has the potential to be an efficient, highly specific, and sensitive method for diagnosing P. notoginseng round leaf spot disease caused by M. acerina in both the symptomatic and latent stages in the field and might be useful for disease management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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12 pages, 3030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Two Bacillus Strains with Antimicrobial Activity and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Biocontrol Efficiency

by Erfeng Li, Yuxin Li, Xinyu Dai, Wanrong Yan and Gang Wang

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080744 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1870

Abstract

Cabbage Fusarium Wilt (CFW) is a serious disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans in many parts of the world. The use of chemical fungicides has placed a heavy burden on the environment and is prone to drug resistance in plant pathogens. As a method with great potential, biological control has attracted the attention of many academics both at home and abroad. In this study, we have found that strains B5 and B6 had a strong inhibitory effect on various pathogens and significantly inhibited mycelium growth. They were both identified as Bacillus velezensis by morphological features, biochemical determinations, 16S rRNA gene and gyrA gene sequence analysis. When different concentrations of bacterial suspension were applied to cabbage seeds, hypocotyl and taproot length increased to varying degrees. The in vivo results showed that B5 and B6 decreased the incidence of cabbage seedling wilt disease, with B6 performing significantly better. Furthermore, B. velezensis B6 had the ability to colonize cabbage plants and rhizosphere soil. Thus, strain B6 has great potential for biocontrol development and this research could lead to the development of a promising biological agent for CFW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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15 pages, 2924 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of a Radical Mutation in Plastidic Starch Phosphorylase PHO1a on Potato Growth and Cold Stress Response

by Anna V. Nezhdanova, Gleb I. Efremov, Maria A. Slugina, Anastasia M. Kamionskaya, Elena Z. Kochieva and Anna V. Shchennikova

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080730 - 14 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1692

Abstract

The plant response to stresses includes changes in starch metabolism regulated by a complex catalytic network, in which plastidic starch phosphorylase PHO1a is one of the key players. In this study, we used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to edit the PHO1a gene in four potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, which resulted in the introduction of a radical mutation, G261V, into the PHO1a functional domain. The mutants had altered morphology and differed from wild-type plants in starch content in the roots and leaves. Exposure to cold stress revealed the differential response of parental and transgenic plants in terms of starch content and the expression of genes coding for β-amylases, amylase inhibitors, and stress-responsive MADS-domain transcription factors. These results suggest that the G261V mutation causes changes in the functional activity of PHO1a, which in turn affect the coordinated operation of starch catabolism enzymes both under normal and cold stress conditions, possibly through differential expression of MADS-domain transcription factors. Our results highlight a critical regulatory role of PHO1a in starch metabolism, root and shoot development, and stress response in potatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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24 pages, 5000 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Characteristics of Meteorological Conditions during a Severe Outbreak of Onion Downy Mildew and Metalaxyl Sensitivity of Peronospora destructor in Saga, Japan, in 2016

by Shin-ichirou Syobu and Sachiko Watanabe

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070578 - 26 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2264

Abstract

In 2016, an onion downy mildew epidemic caused by Peronospora destructor severely damaged the commercial onion fields in Saga Prefecture, western Japan. To identify the factors underlying the outbreak, we investigated the symptoms of downy mildew caused by secondary infections and examined P. destructor’s sensitivity to metalaxyl, the most effective traditional fungicide used against this onion pathogen, in 2016–2018. Disease symptoms developed in late March 2016, which was earlier than symptom development in 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, there were synchronous repeated disease development and favourable meteorological conditions for infection in early and late April resulting in the development of polycyclic epidemics. In field trials from 2016 to 2018, the efficacy of chlorothalonil + metalaxyl-M application ranged 18–45%, as calculated by comparing disease severity at the final stage of each treatment to that in the untreated plots. On the basis of the metalaxyl sensitivity observed in 2016, the effective concentration, which reduced germ-tube elongation in P. destructor by 50%, exceeded 200 µg ai/mL for certain strains. Our observations indicate that these characteristic meteorological conditions were major factors contributing to the severe disease outbreak in 2016. The emergence of less-metalaxyl-sensitive P. destructor strains may be an additional predisposing factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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18 pages, 2765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pretreatment with Chitosan Prevents Fusarium Infection and Induces the Expression of Chitinases and β-1,3-Glucanases in Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

by Mikhail A. Filyushin, Balzhima T. Shagdarova, Anna V. Shchennikova, Alla V. Il’ina, Elena Z. Kochieva and Valery P. Varlamov

Horticulturae 2022, 8(5), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050383 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2542

Abstract

Fusarium infection decreases the yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.); however, the knowledge about garlic response to fungal attack is limited. Chitosan induces plant defense response to stress conditions. Here, we analyzed the effects of chitosan with low (Ch1, 39 kDa) and medium (Ch2, 135 kDa) molecular weight on Fusarium infection in garlic. Ch1 and Ch2 at concentrations 0.125–0.400 mg/mL suppressed the growth of Fusarium proliferatum cultures in vitro. Pretreatment of garlic bulbs with Ch1 or Ch2 prevented disease symptoms after F. proliferatum inoculation, while exerting early inhibitory and late stimulatory effects on chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities. Ch1/Ch2 treatment of garlic already infected with F. proliferatum caused transcriptional upregulation of chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases at the early stage, which was maintained at the late stage in Ch2-treated samples, but not in Ch1-treated samples, where transcriptional inhibition was observed. The stimulatory effect of Ch2 pretreatment on the expression of chitinase and endo-β-1,3-glucanase genes was stronger than that of Ch1 pretreatment, suggesting that Ch2 could be more effective than Ch1 in pre-sowing treatment of garlic bulbs. Our results provide insights into the effects of chitosan on the garlic response to Fusarium, suggesting a novel strategy to protect garlic crop against fungal infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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12 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

The Feasibility of Using Autofluorescence to Detect Lignin Deposition Pattern during Defense Response in Apple Roots to Pythium ultimum Infection

by Yanmin Zhu

Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111085 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms underpinning apple root resistance to infection by Pythium ultimum have not been carefully investigated until recently. A panoramic and high-resolution picture of genome-wide transcriptional networks regulating the defense activation in apple roots was obtained recently from a comprehensive transcriptome analysis. Among the most notable transcriptome changes are the upregulation of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, transportation of secondary metabolites, and laccase-directed lignin formation. However, assessing cellular responses and anatomical changes in young roots of apple as a woody species of the Rosacea family remains challenging. Taking advantage of the autofluorescence of lignin and the specific staining by Wiesner reagent, the feasibility of using microscopy to detect lignin deposition in apple roots was evaluated. The preliminary results indicated that a combination of brightfield and fluorescence images may provide the opportunity to reveal the location and degree of lignification in sectioned roots. The procedure represents a proof-of-concept of using fluorescence microscopy to examine cellular features relevant to apple root resistance traits. The ability to detect subtle phenotypic variations, such as lignin deposition patterns, is critically needed to bridge the gap between genomic data and macro-level plant resistance phenotypes and to further identify the resistance mechanisms of apple root. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Pathology and Advances in Disease Management)

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