Genome sequence of a fungus that causes annosus root and butt rot among conifer trees in North America.

We report an annotated draft genome of , a fungus (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) that has pathogenic and saprophytic lifestyles. This fungus belongs to the (Fr.) Bref.

, sp. nov., a new member of the species complex associated with yellow-cedar, .

is described as a new species of the complex isolated from yellow-cedar ( (D. Don) Oerst. ex D.

Genetic architecture of disease resistance and tolerance in Douglas-fir trees.

Understanding the genetic basis of how plants defend against pathogens is important to monitor and maintain resilient tree populations. Swiss needle cast (SNC) and Rhabdocline needle cast (RNC) epidemics are responsible for major damage of forest ecosystems in North America. Here we investigate the genetic architecture of tolerance and resistance to needle cast diseases in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) caused by two fungal pathogens: SNC caused by Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii, and RNC caused by Rhabdocline pseudotsugae.

Genome sequences of three genetic lineages of the fungus the causal agent of Swiss needle cast on Douglas-fir trees.

Here, we present the nearly complete genome sequences of the three main genetic lineages of , an endophytic ascomycete fungus responsible for Swiss needle cast, a foliar disease that is emerging as a significant threat to the Douglas-fir tree in its natural distribution range.

Large-scale genomic analyses with machine learning uncover predictive patterns associated with fungal phytopathogenic lifestyles and traits.

Invasive plant pathogenic fungi have a global impact, with devastating economic and environmental effects on crops and forests. Biosurveillance, a critical component of threat mitigation, requires risk prediction based on fungal lifestyles and traits. Recent studies have revealed distinct genomic patterns associated with specific groups of plant pathogenic fungi.

DNA-Barcoding Identification of Plant Pathogens for Disease Diagnostics.

The accurate identification of plant pathogens is a critical step to prevent their spread and attenuate their impact. Among the wide range of methods available, DNA-barcoding, i.e.

Forest health in the Anthropocene: the emergence of a novel tree disease is associated with poplar cultivation.

Plant domestication and movement are large contributors to the success of new diseases. The introduction of new host species can result in accelerated evolutionary changes in pathogens, affecting long-established coevolutionary dynamics. This has been observed in poplars where severe epidemics of pathogens that were innocuous in their natural pathosystems occurred following host domestication.

Evidence of Coevolution Between Lineages and Their Corresponding Hosts, Lodgepole Pine and Jack Pine.

Variation in rate of infection and susceptibility of spp. to the fungus (syn. ), the causative agent of western gall rust, has been well documented.

Comparative Gene Expression Analysis Reveals Mechanism of Response to the Fungal Pathogen .

Many conifers have distributions that span wide ranges in both biotic and abiotic conditions, but the basis of response to biotic stress has received much less attention than response to abiotic stress. In this study, we investigated the gene expression response of lodgepole pine () to attack by the fungal pathogen , which causes Dothistroma needle blight, a disease that has caused severe climate-related outbreaks in northwestern British Columbia. We inoculated tolerant and susceptible pines with two isolates and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differential exon usage, and coexpressed gene modules using RNA-sequencing data.

Evolution and Adaptation of Forest and Crop Pathogens in the Anthropocene.

Anthropocene marks the era when human activity is making a significant impact on earth, its ecological and biogeographical systems. The domestication and intensification of agricultural and forest production systems have had a large impact on plant and tree health. Some pathogens benefitted from these human activities and have evolved and adapted in response to the expansion of crop and forest systems, resulting in global outbreaks.

Signatures of Post-Glacial Genetic Isolation and Human-Driven Migration in the Dothistroma Needle Blight Pathogen in Western Canada.

Many current tree improvement programs are incorporating assisted gene flow strategies to match reforestation efforts with future climates. This is the case for the lodgepole pine ( var. ), the most extensively planted tree in western Canada.

Chemical, Bioactivity, and Biosynthetic Screening of Epiphytic Fungus .

We report the first secondary metabolite, 8,8'-bijuglone, obtained from pure cultures of the slow growing Douglas fir- ( var. ) foliage-associated fungus . The quinone was characterized using extensive LC/MS and NMR-based spectroscopic methods.

In Situ Processing and Efficient Environmental Detection (iSPEED) of tree pests and pathogens using point-of-use real-time PCR.

Global trade and climate change are responsible for a surge in foreign invasive species and emerging pests and pathogens across the world. Early detection and surveillance activities are essential to monitor the environment and prevent or mitigate future ecosystem impacts. Molecular diagnostics by DNA testing has become an integral part of this process.

Molecular assays to detect the presence and viability of Phytophthora ramorum and Grosmannia clavigera.

Wood and wood products can harbor microorganisms that can raise phytosanitary concerns in countries importing or exporting these products. To evaluate the efficacy of wood treatment on the survival of microorganisms of phytosanitary concern the method of choice is to grow microbes in petri dishes for subsequent identification. However, some plant pathogens are difficult or impossible to grow in axenic cultures.

Population Genomic Analyses Reveal Connectivity via Human-Mediated Transport across Plantations in North America and an Undescribed Subpopulation of .

Domestication of plant species has affected the evolutionary dynamics of plant pathogens in agriculture and forestry. A model system for studying the consequences of plant domestication on the evolution of an emergent plant disease is the fungal pathogen . This ascomycete causes leaf spot and stem canker disease of spp.

Mitotic Recombination and Rapid Genome Evolution in the Invasive Forest Pathogen .

Invasive alien species often have reduced genetic diversity and must adapt to new environments. Given the success of many invasions, this is sometimes called the genetic paradox of invasion. is invasive, limited to asexual reproduction within four lineages, and presumed clonal.

Genome-enhanced detection and identification of fungal pathogens responsible for pine and poplar rust diseases.

Biosurveillance is a proactive approach that may help to limit the spread of invasive fungal pathogens of trees, such as rust fungi which have caused some of the world's most damaging diseases of pines and poplars. Most of these fungi have a complex life cycle, with up to five spore stages, which is completed on two different hosts. They have a biotrophic lifestyle and may be propagated by asymptomatic plant material, complicating their detection and identification.

Cryptic Speciation in Western North America and Eastern Eurasia of the Pathogens Responsible for Laminated Root Rot.

Coniferiporia sulphurascens is a facultative fungal pathogen that causes laminated root rot (LRR) in commercially important coniferous species worldwide. This fungus spreads primarily by way of vegetative mycelium transferring at points of contact between infected and healthy roots. Successful intervention to control LRR requires a better understanding of the population structure and genetic variability of C.

Genome-Enhanced Detection and Identification (GEDI) of plant pathogens.

Plant diseases caused by fungi and Oomycetes represent worldwide threats to crops and forest ecosystems. Effective prevention and appropriate management of emerging diseases rely on rapid detection and identification of the causal pathogens. The increase in genomic resources makes it possible to generate novel genome-enhanced DNA detection assays that can exploit whole genomes to discover candidate genes for pathogen detection.

Further Support of Conspecificity of Oak and Mango Powdery Mildew and First Report of Erysiphe quercicola and Erysiphe alphitoides on Mango in Mainland Europe.

Mango leaves and inflorescences infected by powdery mildew in southern Spain were analyzed using multigene sequencing (ITS + 4 single-copy coding genes) to identify the causal agent. Erysiphe quercicola was detected in 97% out of 140 samples, collected in six different orchards in the Malaga region. Among these, a small proportion also yielded E.

Development and Validation of Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci for the NA2 Lineage of Phytophthora ramorum from Whole Genome Sequence Data.

Phytophthora ramorum is the causal agent of sudden oak death and sudden larch death, and is also responsible for causing ramorum blight on woody ornamental plants. Many microsatellite markers are available to characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of P. ramorum.

Genetic and genomic evidence of niche partitioning and adaptive radiation in mountain pine beetle fungal symbionts.

Bark beetles form multipartite symbiotic associations with blue stain fungi (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota). These fungal symbionts play an important role during the beetle's life cycle by providing nutritional supplementation, overcoming tree defences and modifying host tissues to favour brood development. The maintenance of stable multipartite symbioses with seemingly less competitive symbionts in similar habitats is of fundamental interest to ecology and evolution.