Fungicidal Interference during Infection Related Developmental Stages in Magnaporthe Grisea

Rice blast, a serious epidemic disease that limits grain yield worldwide is caused by fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea. The present investigation was carried out to identify the probable avenues of interference by different fungicides during the critical stages of infection related morphogenesis of M. grisea. Effect of six fungicides at different stages of infection related morphogenesis showed variable results like interference in conidial germination, distortion of surface structure of the spores, interference in the germ tube elongation, interference in the transfer of the cell contents from spore to appresorrium, deformity in appressorial dome, interference in the melanin deposition. We speculate the critical stages at which these fungicides may interfere. The activity of immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) which is a potential antifungal agent was equated with all the fungicides used. We hypothesize that the exposure of the M. grisea spore to the fungicide may lead to the formation of a cyclophilin CYP1-fungicide complex, which inactivates calcineurin and prevents calcium/ calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase signaling and is therefore one of the target of fungicidal interference. An understanding of how fungal pathogens break the protective barrier that comprise the surface of the host plant as well as precise identification of avenues of fungicidal interference during infection related development in M. grisea will lead to novel approach for controlling plant diseases.