Premium
Identification and characterization of Botrytis medusae , a novel cryptic species causing grey mould on wine grapes in Australia
Author(s) -
Harper L. A.,
Derbyshire M. C.,
LopezRuiz F. J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.928
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-3059
pISSN - 0032-0862
DOI - 10.1111/ppa.13005
Subject(s) - botrytis cinerea , biology , botrytis , botany , wine , conidium , clade , species complex , phylogenetic tree , gene , genetics , food science
In a collection of 735 Botrytis isolates sampled from Australian wine grape‐growing regions, a single isolate from clade I and group I (based on Bc‐hch RFLP analysis) was found. As many Botrytis species are known to live sympatrically, it was hypothesized that this isolate might be a new Botrytis species. After phenotypic and molecular assays supported this hypothesis, the species was designated B. medusae . Phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear genes G3 PDH , HSP 60 , RPB 2 , NEP 1 and NEP 2 consistently placed B. medusae in an early‐diverging clade I Botrytis spp. lineage. Botrytis medusae produced white aerial mycelium, grew faster at 30 °C and produced long‐branched conidiophore extensions, compared with B. cinerea and B. pseudocinerea . Botrytis medusae was only able to infect wounded grape leaves and was significantly less virulent on wounded leaves and berries than B. cinerea . Botrytis medusae also lacked villiform appendages on the conidial surface and long conidiophores, which are defining features of B. sinoviticola and B. californica , respectively. Identification and characterization of new cryptic Botrytis species living in sympatry on grapevines could potentially provide information to assist disease management strategies for B. cinerea .