Pathogenic Interactions between Macrophomina phaseolina and Magnaporthiopsis maydis in Mutually Infected Cotton Sprouts

The soil fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, the charcoal rot disease agent, poses a major threat to cotton fields. In Israel, highly infected areas are also inhabited by maize pathogen Magnaporthiopsis maydis. This study reveals relationships between two pathogens and their impact on sprouts. Infecting 14 days before sowing (DBS) with each or M. phaseolina maydis caused strong inhibition (up 50–65%) of sprouts’ development survival, accompanied pathogen’s high DNA levels in plants. However, combined sequence infection first led distinct scenarios. acted as beneficial protective endophyte one experiment, leading significantly emergence growth indices plants ca. 10-fold reduction roots. contrast, showed virulence potential (with 43–69% survival suppression) other proving its true nature an opportunist. Interestingly, inoculation first, DBS (but not at sowing), shielded from maydis’ devastating impact. results suggest that restrict other, this equilibrium may lead moderate burst.