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Hyphal anastomosis testing and molecular methods have been the primary criteria employed to understand the evolutionary and taxonomic relationships of the soil-borne fungal plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani species complex. In this study, a metabolomics-based approach for characterizing and identifying isolates of R. solani using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolite profiling and footprinting was developed. Multivariate and hierarchical cluster analyses of GC/MS data provided resolution of isolates belonging to anastomosis groups (AGs) 1-6, 9, and 10 of R. solani. Clustering of R. solani AG-3 isolates, based on host origin, was also observed and attributed to metabolite-biomarkers belonging to amino, carboxylic and fatty acids. The chemotaxonomic approach using metabolomics is a high-throughput methodology that complements existing molecular approaches for the taxonomic investigation of Rhizoctonia isolates and monitoring of fungal metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerge of metabolomics within functional genomics has provided a new dimension in the study of biological systems. In regards to the study of agroecosystems, metabolomics enables monitoring of metabolic changes in association with biotic or abiotic agents such as agrochemicals. Focusing on crop protection chemicals, a great effort has been given towards the development of crop protection agents safer for consumers and the environment and more efficient than the existing ones. Within this framework, metabolomics has so far been a valuable tool for high-throughput screening of bioactive substances in order to discover those with high selectivity, unique modes-of-action, and acceptable eco-toxicological/toxicological profiles. Here, applications of metabolomics in the investigation of the modes-of-action and ecotoxicological-toxicological risk assessment of bioactive compounds, mining of biological systems for the discovery of bioactive metabolites, and the risk assessment of genetic modified crops are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]