Work

Kordyana brasiliensis on the invasive weed Tradescantia fluminensis: ability of conidia to infect and the effect of temperature and wetness period on basidiospore germination

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: conidia/ml) or when conidia were harvested from young (<7 days) cultures. The successful infection of T. fluminensis plants inoculated with conidia (derived from a single basidiospore culture) and subsequent development of sexual structures in lesions indicate that K. brasiliensis is homothallic. The mechanism of infection, however, remains unclear because penetration of the host by thin hyphae produced by conidia on leaf surfaces was not observed in the samples examined by light microscopy. The influence of temperature and wetness period on basidiospore germination processes in vitro was investigated in a second set of experiments. Basidiospore germination and germ-tube elongation were significantly influenced by the interaction of both temperature and wetness period duration (optimal germination at 15-25 °C and germ-tube elongation at 20-22.5 °C). Extended wetness periods buffered the effects of suboptimal temperatures on basidiospore germination until the maximum threshold temperature of 30 °C was reached. Conidia formed on sterigmata-like outgrowths on basidiospore germ-tubes after exposure to extended wetness periods (>18 h) and a relatively broad temperature range (15-25 °C). The potential role of conidia in the life cycle of the fungus is discussed. This is the first study of a Kordyana species to demonstrate the ability of conidia to cause infection on its host and investigate the influence of microclimate variables on basidiospore germination processes. Results of this study can be used as a basis for future research to examine the life cycle, mating system genetic basis and epidemiology of K. brasiliensis.

Source: Fungal Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101729

Authors: Isabel Zeil-Rolfe, Ben Gooden, Louise Morin, Gavin C. Hunter, Celeste C. Linde

Institutions: Australian National University, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity

Language: English

Topic: Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500