Co-inoculation timing affects the interspecific interactions between phoma stem canker pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa.

Background: Phoma stem canker is an economically important disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing fungal pathogen species, Leptosphaeria maculans (Plenodomus lingam) and Leptosphaeria biglobosa (Plenodomus biglobosus). Leptosphaeria maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our previous work showed that L.

Leptosphaeria biglobosa inhibits the production of sirodesmin PL by L. maculans.

Background: Phoma stem canker is caused by two coexisting pathogens, Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa. They coexist because of their temporal and spatial separations, which are associated with the differences in timing of their ascospore release.