Abstract Detail

Mycology

Neyaz, Marwa [1].

Localization of the fungus Chaetothyriales spp. (Ascomycota) within its host Ipomoeacarnea (Convolvulaceae.

The current study involves a seed transmitted fungus belongs to the order  Chaetothyriales  which is associated with morning glory plants  Ipomoea carnea  (family  Convolvulaceae) and produces swainsonine. The indolizidine alkaloid toxin swainsonine is produced by a range of fungi; consumption of plants containing swainsonine by grazing animals results in  Locoism, a disease that affect the nervous system and eventually lead to death. The sign of  Chaetothyriales sp.  on  Ipomoea carnea  appears as rich white mycelial growth clearly observed with the naked eyes only on the leaves adaxial surface of a  fungal-infected plant. Since fungal growth is not present on surfaces of stems or petioles, but only on leaves adaxial surface, and since mycelia is not penetrating leaf epidermis neither found in cross sections, this study aim to answer the question: how does the fungus move within the morning glory plants?  Here, we illustrate 2 hypotheses:  1. within the seed, fungus most likely to be found within endosperm,  between tissue types associated with the surface of tissues, for example between leaf primordial.  2.  The  fungus  is most likely extending as the plant extend upward, but,  contained around leaf meristematic cells during the stem and petiole formation, and once leaf formation occurs, the fungus exits through the adaxial leaf surface and grows as the leaf grows. This could possibly explain the absence of mycelia in cross sections and on the abaxial surface of leaves. Microbiology, molecular biology, and microscopy techniques were used to support or reject the hypotheses.  To our knowledge, this report will be the first to discuss detection and localization methods of an endophyte producing swainsonine from the order  Chaetothyriales  within  its host.  The study of plant-fungal interaction is a key to the understanding  of how evolution among these fungi and their hosts has progressed, and provide valuable knowledge to similar studies.

1 - New Mexico State University, Plant and Environmental Science , Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

Keywords:
Plant-fungal interaction
Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Ipomoea Carnea
Chaetothyriales sp.
Localization
Swainsonine
Symbiosis  
Mycology.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: MY4, Mycology: Endophytes, Communities, Hydrophobins, and Transporters
Location: /
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM(EDT)
Number: MY4003
Abstract ID:381
Candidate for Awards:MSA Best Oral Presentation Award by a Graduate Student,MSA Best Oral Presentation Award by an Undergraduate Student