Impact of Oxalic Acid Consumption and pH on the In Vitro Biological Control of Oxalogenic Phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study analyzes the fungal growth of a wild-type strain of S. sclerotorum and an oxalate-deficient mutant (strain Δoah) in presence of the bacteria C. necator and C. oxaliticus carrying a fluorescent tag (GFP and m-Cherry). They observed that the medium alkalinization contributes to fungal growth control possibly through pH changes via oxalic acid consumption or ammonia production. It describes interesting experimental research, and the document is well-prepared.

The manuscript can be accepted for publication, with minor observations.

• At line 111, Write chemical formular correctly, emphasizing the subscipts.
• The quality of Figure 2 could be improved, especially the legends for the X and Y axes of the graphs. Same case for the graphs in Figures 3 and 4.
• It could leave open the possibility of expanding in vivo studies or exploring other possible effects of pH change (ammonia production)
• In Refences section, please describes how it is cited in the guide for authors:

Journal Articles:

Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name Year, Volume, page range.

This study analyzes the fungal growth of a wild-type strain of S. sclerotorum and an oxalate-deficient mutant (strain Δoah) in presence of the bacteria C. necator and C. oxaliticus carrying a fluorescent tag (GFP and m-Cherry). They observed that the medium alkalinization contributes to fungal growth control possibly through pH changes via oxalic acid consumption or ammonia production. It describes interesting experimental research, and the document is well-prepared.

The manuscript can be accepted for publication, with minor observations.

• At line 111, Write chemical formular correctly, emphasizing the subscipts.
• The quality of Figure 2 could be improved, especially the legends for the X and Y axes of the graphs. Same case for the graphs in Figures 3 and 4.
• It could leave open the possibility of expanding in vivo studies or exploring other possible effects of pH change (ammonia production)
• In Refences section, please describes how it is cited in the guide for authors:

Journal Articles:

Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name Year, Volume, page range.

The quality of Figure 2 could be improved, especially the legends for the X and Y axes of the graphs. Same case for the graphs in Figures 3 and 4.

Author Response

Point-by-point rebuttal

 

This study analyzes the fungal growth of a wild-type strain of S. sclerotorum and an oxalate-deficient mutant (strain Δoah) in presence of the bacteria C. necator and C. oxaliticus carrying a fluorescent tag (GFP and m-Cherry). They observed that the medium alkalinization contributes to fungal growth control possibly through pH changes via oxalic acid consumption or ammonia production. It describes interesting experimental research, and the document is well-prepared.

 

Answer: We thank the reviewer for their positive appraisal of our study.

 

The manuscript can be accepted for publication, with minor observations.

• At line 111, Write chemical formular correctly, emphasizing the subscipts.

Answer: We have corrected the chemical formulas in the media composition. 

 

• The quality of Figure 2 could be improved, especially the legends for the X and Y axes of the graphs. Same case for the graphs in Figures 3 and 4.

Answer: We have provided new improved versions of all the figures as requested. 

 

• It could leave open the possibility of expanding in vivo studies or exploring other possible effects of pH change (ammonia production).

Answer: We have included this element in the conclusion as following “Future in planta studies evaluating for instance the role of ammonia or other mechanisms to control pH would be beneficial to translate this biocontrol strategy into praxis in agriculture.”. 

 

• In Refences section, please describes how it is cited in the guide for authors:

Journal Articles:

Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name Year, Volume, page range.

Answer: We have used the Endnote style for the journal and corrected the references as suggested. 

Reviewer 2 Report

The submitted paper ”Impact of oxalic acid consumption and pH on the in-vitro biological control of the 2 oxalogenic phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum" by Estoppey et al. is interesting and singular, I believe. It is a good contribution to know more about the potential biocontrol of oxalogenic phytopathogen S. sclerotiorum.

The paper is clear, well written and organized properly. Hence, I agree with the publication. I do have some suggestions to improve the quality of the paper.

Introduction 

Lines 38 and 44. I think the authors refer to more then one fungus. I would replace the word fungus with fungi.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the working hypothesis is very illustrative. However, S. sclerotiorum is not a mushroom. If possible replace the mushroom symbol with some microfungus. 

Materials and Methods:

Apart from information who provided the authors with S. sclerotiorum WT and mutant strain, I would add also few words regarding the isolation source and pathogenicity of strains used in the research. 

Discussion:

Lines 227 - 234. Repetition of already mentioned data. I suggest excluding this paragraph. 

Author Response

Point-by-point rebuttal

The submitted paper ”Impact of oxalic acid consumption and pH on the in-vitro biological control of the 2 oxalogenic phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum" by Estoppey et al. is interesting and singular, I believe. It is a good contribution to know more about the potential biocontrol of oxalogenic phytopathogen S. sclerotiorum.

The paper is clear, well written and organized properly. Hence, I agree with the publication. I do have some suggestions to improve the quality of the paper.

Answer: We thank the reviewer for their positive appraisal of our study and the suggestions to improve its quality.

Introduction

Lines 38 and 44. I think the authors refer to more then one fungus. I would replace the word fungus with fungi.

Answer: Thank you for spotting this. We have corrected the introduction.

 

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the working hypothesis is very illustrative. However, S. sclerotiorum is not a mushroom. If possible replace the mushroom symbol with some microfungus.

Answer: Thank you for this suggestion. We have modified the figures accordingly. 

 

Materials and Methods:

Apart from information who provided the authors with S. sclerotiorum WT and mutant strain, I would add also few words regarding the isolation source and pathogenicity of strains used in the research.

Answer: We have included the original information provided by the authors of the mutagenesis paper.

 

Discussion:

Lines 227 - 234. Repetition of already mentioned data. I suggest excluding this paragraph.

Answer: We agree this is partly repetitive, but as we did not discuss previously the impact of the composition of the media, we prefer to leave this part in to guide the reader in the elements developed during the discussion. 

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript has been improved after the revision. Hence, I agree with the publication in JoF

Accept in current form