Title:First Report of Mycovirus Infected Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Cauliflower from Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Tanvi Gupta, Vanshika, Chandresh Kumari and Saurabh Kulshrestha*
Affiliation:Center for Omics and Biodiversity Research, Shoolini University, Solan 9817707071, Center for Omics and Biodiversity Research, Shoolini University, Solan 9817707071, Center for Omics and Biodiversity Research, Shoolini University, Solan 9817707071, Center for Omics and Biodiversity Research, Shoolini University, Solan 9817707071
Keywords:Biocontrol agent, hypovirulence, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR),
ssDNA, Mycovirus, Biofungicide, hypovirulence, ssDNA mycovirus, Sclerotia.
Abstract:
Background: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a ubiquitous fungal pathogen infecting
more than 400 plant species. Sclerotinia stem rot is known to cause as high as 100% crop
loss in many cases. Currently, chemical fungicides are the only known solution to this
problem. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing environment-friendly alternatives for
controlling this pathogen. The review of published articles revealed that a number of mycoviruses
with the potential of a biocontrol agent against Sclerotinia had been identified
from different parts of the world.
Objective: The present investigation describes the isolation and characterization of isolates
of S. sclerotiorum infecting cauliflower, peas, and mustard for the presence of a potent mycovirus
from lower Himachal region of India.
Methods: Various infected fields were visited and samples in the form of sclerotia were
collected. Various isolates of S. sclerotiorum were obtained, and putative hypovirulent isolates
were screened. Thereafter, hypovirulent strains were chosen and mycovirus isolation
was performed. Finally, isolates showing an extra nucleic acid band were used for mycovirus
isolation and further characterization. Curing of mycovirus was used to confirm if
altered phenotype was due to the presence of this virus.
Results: A ssDNA mycovirus was identified and confirmed from the growth defective isolate.
Conclusion: This mycovirus can in turn act as a biocontrol agent, thus reducing dependency
on chemical fungicides and can also be developed in the form of a patent once completely
characterized and formulated. To our knowledge, this is the first report on mycovirus
isolation from any Sclerotinia sclerotiorumisolate from India.
