Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Agglutinin Modulates Sclerotial Development, Pathogenicity and Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in Different Manners

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an important plant pathogenic fungus of many crops. Our previous study identified the S. agglutinin (SSA) that can be partially degraded by serine protease CmSp1 from mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans. However, biological functions SSA in pathogenicity and its response to infection C. minitans, as well environmental stresses, remain unknown. In this study, disruption complementary mutants were generated for characterization functions. Both wild-type (WT) compared growth sclerotial formation on potato dextrose agar (PDA) autoclaved carrot slices (ACS), oilseed rape, susceptibility chemical stresses (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, sorbitol, mannitol, sucrose, sodium dodecyl sulfate, H2O2) mycoparasitism The (ΔSSA-175, ΔSSA-178, ΔSSA-225) did not differ WT mutant ΔSSA-178C mycelial growth. ΔSSA-178C, formed immature sclerotia PDA, produced less but larger ACS; they became sensitive eight investigated more aggressive infecting leaves susceptible These results suggest positively regulates development resistance minitans mycoparasitism, negatively stresses.