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The intricate interplay between endophytic microorganisms and plants in the upkeep of biodiversity, the stability of communities, and the operation of ecosystems needs to be more adequately extensive. Although root-associated microbial communities of plants have been revealed for the last decade, the understanding of bacterial and fungal communities associated with the roots of medicinal plants remains elusive. To highlight the importance of Panax ginseng Meyer (PG) in our research, we investigated the root endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of Panax ginseng Meyer (PG), alongside Aralia cordata (AC), Angelica gigas (AG), and Peucedanum japonicum (PJ), utilizing amplicon-based community profiling and advanced bioinformatic methodologies. The study aimed to investigate the root-endophytic microbiota of ginseng and three other medicinal plants and identify similarities in microbiome composition across different plant species and families. Results revealed that root-endophytic bacterial and fungal communities were influenced by plant species and phylogenetic differences at the family level. Differential abundance tests and random forest models showed microbial features within the same plant family. PG had a distinctive microbial profile with significant B1653_o_Enterobacterales and F8_o_Helotiales. PG had a core microbiome, B10_Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, and a more evenly distributed microbial network compared to AG, PJ, and AC. Our research reveals the intricate endophytic microbial communities within the roots of medicinal plants, pinpointing specific taxa that may be pivotal to their medicinal qualities and overall plant health. These insights carry notable implications for future studies, particularly those focused on the endophytes of PG and their secondary metabolites, as they deepen our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and their role in enhancing the plants' therapeutic potential., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: The research conducted adhered to the guidelines outlined in the IUCN Policy Statement on Research Involving Species at Risk of Extinction and Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Saposhnikovia divaricata (Trucz.) Schischk. is one of the traditional medicinal herbs in Northeast China, and its roots are used for medicinal purposes. In 2020, a fungus isolated from S. divaricata seeds was observed to cause root rot of seedlings and leaf and stem spot of adult plants in Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang, China. Based on morphological and molecular data, isolates of all fungi were identified as Alternaria alternata . To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata isolated from S . divaricata seeds in China. The carrying rate of S. divaricata seeds from 20 different collection sites reached 100% in 70% of the sites in Hulunbeier area, Inner Mongolia, China. The A. alternata isolate could infect the roots of cucumber, sorghum, mung bean, and maize seedlings and cause root rot. Considering the control of seed-associated fungal diseases, prochloraz 45% EW had the best control effect of 92.6%, followed by flusilazole 400 g liter -1 EC (88.9%) and azoxystrobin + propiconazole 18.7% SE (70.7%) of 15 fungicides. Further field control efficacy showed that 45% prochloraz EW had an 80% control efficacy on the disease at a dose of 0.225 g liter -1 . It is recommended that soaking seeds and spraying are the best treatments for controlling seed-associated fungi and leaf spot on S. divaricata caused by A. alternata . Therefore, the aforementioned methods can effectively prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases of S. divaricata and provide a way to reduce reinfestation in the field., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

The tolerance of ash trees against the pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus seems to be associated with the occurrence of specific microbial taxa on leaves. A group of bacterial isolates, primarily identified on tolerant trees, was investigated with regard to their taxonomic classification and their potential to suppress the ash dieback pathogen. Examination of OGRI values revealed a separate species position. A phylogenomic analysis, based on orthologous and marker genes, indicated a separate genus position along with the species Achromobacter aestuarii. Furthermore, analysis of the ratio of average nucleotide identities and genome alignment fractions demonstrated genomic dissimilarities typically observed for inter-genera comparisons within this family. As a result of these investigations, the strains are considered to represent a separate species within a new genus, for which the name Schauerella fraxinea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain B3P038 T (=LMG 33092  T  = DSM 115926  T ). Additionally, a reclassification of the species Achromobacter aestuarii as Schauerella aestuarii comb. nov. is proposed. In a co-cultivation assay, the strains were able to inhibit the growth of a H. fraxineus strain. Accordingly, a functional analysis of the genome of S. fraxinea B3P038 T revealed genes mediating the production of antifungal substances. This potential, combined with the prevalent presence in the phyllosphere of tolerant ash trees, makes this group interesting for an inoculation experiment with the aim of controlling the pathogen in an integrative approach. For future field trials, a strain-specific qPCR system was developed to establish an efficient method for monitoring the inoculation success., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Powdery mildew, caused by Eeysiphe heraclei, seriously threatens Heracleum moellendorffii Hance. Plant secondary metabolites are essential to many activities and are necessary for defense against biotic stress. In order to clarify the functions of these metabolites in response to the pathogen, our work concentrated on the variations in the accumulation of secondary metabolites in H. moellendorffii during E. heraclei infection., Results: Following E. heraclei infection, a significant upregulation of coumarin metabolites-particularly simple coumarins and associated genes was detected by RNA-seq and UPLC-MS/MS association analysis. Identifying HmF6'H1, a Feruloyl CoA 6'-hydroxylase pivotal in the biosynthesis of the coumarin basic skeleton through ortho-hydroxylation, was a significant outcome. The cytoplasmic HmF6'H1 protein was shown to be able to catalyze the ortho-hydroxylation of p-coumaroyl-CoA and caffeoyl-CoA, resulting in the formation of umbelliferone and esculetin, respectively. Over-expression of the HmF6'H1 gene resulted in increased levels of simple coumarins, inhibiting the biosynthesis of furanocoumarins and pyranocoumarins by suppressing PT gene expression, enhancing H. moellendorffii resistance to powdery mildew., Conclusions: These results established HmF6'H1 as a resistance gene aiding H. moellendorffii in combatting E. heraclei infection, offering additional evidence of feruloyl-CoA 6'-hydroxylase role in catalyzing various types of simple coumarins. Therefore, this work contributes to our understanding of the function of simple coumarins in plants' defense against powdery mildew infection., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The phloem limited bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) is associated with disease in Solanaceous and Apiaceous crops. This bacterium has previously been found in the UK in Trioza anthrisci, but its impact on UK crops is unknown. Psyllid and Lso diversity and distribution among fields across the major carrot growing areas of Scotland were assessed using real-time PCR and DNA barcoding techniques. Four Lso haplotypes were found: C, U, and two novel haplotypes. Lso haplotype C was also found in a small percentage of asymptomatic carrot plants (9.34%, n = 139) from a field in Milnathort where known vectors of this haplotype were not found. This is the first report of Lso in cultivated carrot growing in the UK and raises concern for the carrot and potato growing industry regarding the potential spread of new and existing Lso haplotypes into crops. Trioza anthrisci was found present only in sites in Elgin, Moray with 100% of individuals harbouring Lso haplotype C. Lso haplotype U was found at all sites infecting Trioza urticae and at some sites infecting Urtica dioica with 77.55% and 24.37% average infection, respectively. The two novel haplotypes were found in Craspedolepta nebulosa and Craspedolepta subpunctata and named Cras1 and Cras2. This is the first report of Lso in psyllids from the Aphalaridae. These new haplotypes were most closely related to Lso haplotype H recently found in carrot and parsnip. Lso was also detected in several weed plants surrounding carrot and parsnip fields. These included two Apiaceous species Aegropodium podagraria (hap undetermined) and Anthriscus sylvestris (hap C); one Gallium sp. (Rubiaceae) (hap undetermined); and Chenopodium album (Amaranthaceae) (hap undetermined).

Glehnia littoralis is an endangered medicinal plant growing in the coastal ecological environment and plays an important role in coastal ecosystems. The endophytes in the plant have a significant role in promoting plant growth and enhancing plant stress resistance. However, the endophytic bacterial structure associated with halophyte G. littoralis is still not revealed. In this project, the construction and diversity of endophytic bacterial consortium associated with different tissues of G. littoralis were illustrated with high throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA. The results resolved that the diversity and richness of endophytic bacteria were significantly higher in root than in leaf and stem. The operational taxonomic units (OTU) analysis demonstrated that the Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were dominant in all the samples at the phylum level, and Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium were the dominant genera. Our results unraveled that the bacterial communities differed among different tissues of G. littoralis . Endophytic bacterial communities in leaf and stem shared more similarity than that in the root. Furthermore, the difference of bacteria community and structure among different tissues were also detected by principal coordinate analysis. Taken altogether, we can conclude that the bacterial communities of different tissues are unique, which could facilitate understanding the diversity of endophytic bacteria in G. littoralis ., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors do not report any financial or personal connections with other persons or organizations, which might negatively affect the contents of this publication and/or claim authorship rights to this publication., (© 2020 Xiaowei Huo et al.)

Cercospora leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, is the most destructive foliar disease of sugar beet worldwide. This review discusses C. beticola genetics, genomics, and biology and summarizes our current understanding of the molecular interactions that occur between C. beticola and its sugar beet host. We highlight the known virulence arsenal of C. beticola as well as its ability to overcome currently used disease management strategies. Finally, we discuss future prospects for the study and management of C. beticola infections in the context of newly employed molecular tools to uncover additional information regarding the biology of this pathogen., Taxonomy: Cercospora beticola Sacc.; Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Capnodiales, Family Mycosphaerellaceae, Genus Cercospora., Host Range: Well-known pathogen of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) and most species of the Beta genus. Reported as pathogenic on other members of the Chenopodiaceae (e.g., lamb's quarters, spinach) as well as members of the Acanthaceae (e.g., bear's breeches), Apiaceae (e.g., Apium), Asteraceae (e.g., chrysanthemum, lettuce, safflower), Brassicaceae (e.g., wild mustard), Malvaceae (e.g., Malva), Plumbaginaceae (e.g., Limonium), and Polygonaceae (e.g., broad-leaved dock) families., Disease Symptoms: Leaves infected with C. beticola exhibit circular lesions that are coloured tan to grey in the centre and are often delimited by tan-brown to reddish-purple rings. As disease progresses, spots can coalesce to form larger necrotic areas, causing severely infected leaves to wither and die. At the centre of these spots are black spore-bearing structures (pseudostromata). Older leaves often show symptoms first and younger leaves become infected as the disease progresses., Management: Application of a mixture of fungicides with different modes of action is currently performed although elevated resistance has been documented in most employed fungicide classes. Breeding for high-yielding cultivars with improved host resistance is an ongoing effort and prudent cultural practices, such as crop rotation, weed host management, and cultivation to reduce infested residue levels, are widely used to manage disease. USEFUL WEBSITE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/11237?genome_assembly_id=352037., (© 2020 The Authors. Molecular Plant Pathology published by British Society for Plant Pathology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

To reduce microbial loads in medicinal herbs, Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma were subjected to electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation at doses (≤10 kGy) as permitted by the Korean Food Code. The effects of e-beam irradiation on the microbial load, stability of the active components, and anti-inflammatory activity of medicinal herbs were determined. We observed that the total aerobic bacteria (TAB; 4.0-7.0 log CFU/g), yeasts and molds (Y&M; 3.3-6.8 log CFU/g), and coliform counts (CC; 3.2-3.8 log CFU/g) in both herb samples were effectively reduced in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in acceptable levels of <3.0 log CFU/g in TAB and Y&M and negative in CC at 10 kGy irradiation. The concentration of the active components (0.87-4.22 mg/g) of Cnidii Rhizoma, including z-ligustilide, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide A, and ferulic acid, in order of prevalence and those (0.86-2.76 mg/g) of Alismatis Rhizoma, including Alisol B acetate and Alisol B, were not changed at irradiation doses of ≤10 kGy. The extracts of e-beam irradiated Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma showed a reduced production of inflammation-related factors, such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E 2 , interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, in a concentration-dependent manner, which was induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 cell. However, there was no significant difference observed at e-beam irradiation doses of 0, 1, 5, and 10 kGy. Thus, we confirm that e-beam irradiation up to 10 kGy was effective for the control of microbial load in Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma without causing considerable changes in their major active components and anti-inflammatory activity. The results show the potential of e-beam application for sanitization of medicinal herbs.

Roots of Glehnia littoralis have been used to heal stroke as a traditional medicine. Even though many studies on this plant have been conducted, the secondary metabolites produced by its endophytes and their bioactivities have not been investigated thus far. Therefore, a new meroditerpenoid named sartorypyrone E (1) and eight known compounds (2-9) were isolated from extracts of cultured Neosartorya fischeri JS0553, an endophyte of G. littoralis. The isolated metabolites were identified using spectroscopic methods and chemical reaction, based on a comparison to literature data. Relative and absolute stereochemistries of compound 1 were also elucidated. To identify the protective effects of isolated compounds (1-9) in HT22 cells against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity, we assessed inhibition of cell death, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) influx. Among the isolates, compound 8, identified as fischerin, showed significant neuroprotective activity on glutamate-mediated HT22 cell death through inhibition of ROS, Ca 2+ influx, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38. The results suggested that the metabolites produced by the endophyte N. fischeri JS0553 might be related to the neuroprotective activity of its host plant, G. littoralis.

Actinomycetes, a Gram positive bacteria, well reported as a source of antibiotics, also possess potential to control various plant pathogens, besides acting as plant growth promoting agent. Chemicals in different forms are extensively being used in vegetable farming, adversely affecting the environment and consumer health. Microbial agent like actinomycetes can substantially replace these harmful chemicals, and have now started finding a place as an important input in to farming practices. Only selected vegetable crops belonging to 11 different families have been explored with use of actinomycetes as biocontrol and plant growth promoting agent till now. It provides ample opportunities to vegetable researchers, to further explore with use of this very important group of microorganisms, in order to achieve even higher production level of safe vegetables. Mycostop and Actinovate are two actinomycetes based formulations globally available for use in vegetable farming as a substitute for chemical formulations. Present review article has summarized the literature available on use of actinomycetes in vegetable farming. Existing wide gap in knowledge, and potential thrust areas for future research have also been projected.

Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso) is bacterium transmitted by psyllids to Solanaceae and Apiaceae plants. So far, Lso is found in Europe affecting Apiaceae. In the Mediterranean region, Bactericera trigonica is the only known vector of Lso, but the leek-onion psyllid Bactericera tremblayi is another widespread psyllid and potential vector of Lso. Commonly, carrot, leek and potato are cultivated in the same zones and it is uncertain if these psyllid species are able to transmit Lso to potato plants. Here, we assessed the transmission of Lso by B. trigonica and B. tremblayi to potato plants. B. trigonica showed preference to ingest from the phloem, settle and oviposit on carrot and celery but not on potato. This was correlated with high Lso transmission rates to both carrot (80%) and celery (70%) but very low to potato (≤3%). B. tremblayi preferred leek over carrot and potato, the latter being the less preferred host. B. tremblayi readily ingested from the phloem of infected carrots but failed to transmit Lso from carrot to carrot. Our study shows that the risk of Lso transmission from Apiaceae to potato by B. trigonica is very low, and that B. tremblayi is not a likely vector of Lso.

During an investigation of microbial diversity in medicinal herbs, a novel actinomycete, strain NEAU-QHHV11 T was isolated from the rhizosphere of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn collected from Xianglu Mountain in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have typical characteristics of the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence also indicated that strain NEAU-QHHV11 T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and was most closely related to Streptomyces graminilatus NBRC 108882 T (98.7 % sequence similarity) and Streptomyces turgidiscabies NBRC 16080 T (98.7 % sequence similarity). The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-QHHV11 T could be distinguished from its close phylogenetic relatives. Thus, strain NEAU-QHHV11 T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces castaneus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QHHV11 T (=CGMCC 4.7235 T  = DSM 100520 T ).

Soil microbes are the important indicator of soil quality. For exploring Chuanminshen violaceum planting to microbial effects in tobacco soil, this paper adopted Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing to research the change of bacteria and fungi at the phylum and genus in the soil. The results showed that the Ch. violaceum planting increased the biodiversity of bacteria and fungi. The influence on fungi was greater than that on bacteria. It greatly increased the sequence of fungi, it obtained 32 978 16S rDNA and 32 229 18S rDNA sequence number. There was no change of the top three phylums in bacteria, but the content changed, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria reduced by 1.73% and 1.4% respectively, and Actinobacteria increased by 0.65%. The advantage phylum Ascomycete in tobacco reduced by 27.99% to be second advantage phylum after Ch. violaceum planting, and the second advantage phylum Basidiomycete increased by 23.69% to become the first dominant fungi. At the genus, Ch. violaceum planting changed the order of dominant genus and the abundance was also changed. Some changed largely such as uncultured Acidobacteriaceae Subgroup-1, Gemmatimonas, Subgroup-2,uncultured Nitrosomonadaceae for bacteria, norank Sordariales, norank Agaricomycetes, Phialophora for fungi. Especially the rotation increased antagonistic microbes and physiological microbes and decreased pathogenic microbes. So the Ch. violaceum planting can improve the microbe community in tobacco soil., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

The Pleurotus eryngii species-complex comprises choice edible mushrooms growing on roots and lower stem residues of Apiaceae (umbellifers) plants. Material deriving from extensive sampling was studied by mating compatibility, morphological and ecological criteria, and through analysis of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and IGS1 rRNA sequences. Results revealed that P. eryngii sensu stricto forms a diverse and widely distributed aggregate composed of varieties elaeoselini, eryngii, ferulae, thapsiae, and tingitanus. Pleurotuseryngii subsp. tuoliensis comb. nov. is a phylogenetically sister group to the former growing only on various Ferula species in Asia. The existence of Pleurotusnebrodensis outside of Sicily (i.e., in Greece) is reported for the first time on the basis of molecular data, while P. nebrodensis subsp. fossulatus comb. nov. is a related Asiatic taxon associated with the same plant (Prangos ferulacea). Last, Pleurotusferulaginis sp. nov. grows on Ferulago campestris in northeast Italy, Slovenia and Hungary; it occupies a distinct phylogenetic position accompanied with significant differences in spore size and mating incompatibility versus other Pleurotus populations. Coevolution with umbellifers and host/substrate specificity seem to play key roles in speciation processes within this fungal group. An identification key to the nine Pleurotus taxa growing in association with Apiaceae plants is provided., (Copyright © 2014 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain RS-16(T), was isolated from a rhizosphere soil and its taxonomic position was determined by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain RS-16(T) was most closely related to the type strain of Motilibacter peucedani (98.3 % sequence similarity). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and N-glycolylated murein. The major whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose and mannose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 73.1 mol%. The phenotypic and DNA-DNA hybridization data showed that strain RS-16(T) ( = KACC 16209(T) = DSM 45622(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Motilibacter, for which Motilibacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. Based on the phylogenetic position determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis and the signature nucleotide set of the 16S rRNA sequence, the genus Motilibacter represents a novel family of the suborder Frankineae, for which the name Motilibacteraceae fam. nov. is proposed.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive actinobacterial strain was isolated from a rhizosphere soil of a wild plant (Peucedanum japonicum Thumb.) collected on Mara Island, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain RS-50(T) were oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, short rods and motile by means of a polar flagellum; the colonies were orange, circular, smooth and convex. meso-Diaminopimelic acid and glucose were the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall and the whole-cell sugar, respectively. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, two unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0,) anteiso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 73.6 mol%. In 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic trees, strain RS-50(T) formed a tight cluster with Angustibacter luteus (99.2 % sequence similarity); both were loosely related to the suborders Kineosporiineae and Micrococcineae. The DNA-DNA relatedness value of the isolate to A. luteus KACC 14249(T) was 22.3±0.9 %. On the basis of the results of phenotypic analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments, strain RS-50(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Angustibacter, for which the name Angustibacter peucedani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RS-50(T) ( = KCTC 19628(T) = DSM 45329(T)). The description of the genus Angustibacter is emended.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain RS-49(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a cliff-associated plant (Peucedanum japonicum Thunb.) in the Republic of Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the organism belonged to the family Pseudonocardiaceae, suborder Pseudonocardineae and that it was most closely related to members of the genera Kibdelosporangium (96.6-97.0% sequence similarity), Actinokineospora (96.3-96.7%), Streptoalloteichus (96.2%) and Actinophytocola (96.2%). Substrate mycelia were well-developed and whitish or pale yellow to strong yellow. Aerial mycelia were branched and fragmented into rod-shaped elements. Single spherical spores were produced directly on the substrate mycelium. Sporangium-like structures and fragmentation of the substrate mycelium were absent. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The acyl type of the muramic acid residues in the peptidoglycan was N-acetylated. Whole-cell sugars were glucose, rhamnose, galactose, ribose, mannose, arabinose and xylose. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)). Small amounts of MK-8 and MK-9(H(2)) were also detected. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phospholipid and an unknown lipid. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(16:0). The DNA G+C content was 64.2 mol%. The phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics show that strain RS-49(T) can be differentiated from members of all genera in the suborder Pseudonocardineae and thus represents a novel species in a new genus for which the name Labedaea rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species is RS-49(T) ( = KCTC 19662(T) = DSM 45361(T)).

Our aim was to examine the effect of water stress on plant growth and development of two native plant species (Tetraclinis articulata and Crithmum maritimum) and on microbial community composition and activity in the rhizosphere soil, following the addition of an organic amendment, namely sugar beet residue (SBR), and/or the inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, namely Glomus mosseae, in a non-sterile heavy metal-polluted soil. The AM inoculation did not have any significant effect on plant growth of both species. In T. articulata, SBR increased shoot growth, foliar P, total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), fungi-related PLFA, AM fungi-related neutral lipid fatty acid, bacterial gram-positive/gram-negative PLFA ratio and the β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities. SBR and AM inoculation increased phosphatase activity in T. articulata plants grown under drought conditions. In both plants, there was a synergistic effect between AM inoculation and SBR on mycorrhizal colonisation under drought conditions. In C. maritimum, the increase produced by the SBR on total amounts of PLFA, bacterial gram-positive-related PLFA and bacterial gram-negative-related PLFA was considerably higher under drought conditions. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of the amendment with regard to stimulating microbial communities and plant growth was largely limited by drought, particularly for plant species with a low degree of mycorrhizal colonisation.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated RP-AC37(T), was isolated from rhizosphere soil collected on Mara Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells were aerobic, gram-positive, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, non-mycelium-forming and motile rods (0.6-0.7×1.9-2.4 µm). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism formed a distinct clade within the radiation occupied by the suborder Frankineae. 16S rRNA gene similarity values were less than 93.2 % to members of the suborder Frankineae and related taxa. The diamino acid isomer in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was LL-diaminopimelic acid. The major whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose and xylose. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The cellular fatty acids were straight-chain, unsaturated and saturated, with a significant amount of tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl-C(18 : 0)). The DNA G+C content was 73.2 mol%. The combination of morphological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data clearly separate the isolate from members of known genera of the suborder Frankineae and related taxa, suggesting that the isolate represents a novel species in a new genus in this suborder, for which the name Motilibacter peucedani gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is RP-AC37(T) ( = KCTC 19630(T) = DSM 45328(T)).

Two novel Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterial strains, designated RP-B26(T) and RP-B30(T), were isolated from rhizosphere soil of a cliff-associated plant (Peucedanum japonicum Thunb.) which was collected from Mara Island, Republic of Korea. The colonies of the isolates were circular, smooth, convex and moderately yellow-light-yellow in colour. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to the family Nocardioidaceae and formed two distinct sublineages within the radiation of the genus Nocardioides. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolates was 98.2 %. The closest phylogenetic neighbours of strain RP-B26(T) were Nocardioides humi DCY24(T) and Nocardioides kongjuensis A2-4(T) with 97.4 and 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, whereas 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain RP-B30(T) and N. humi DCY24(T) and N. kongjuensis A2-4(T) were 96.5 and 96.0 %, respectively. Both of the isolates contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell walls. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)). The polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol. The fatty acid profiles of the isolates were characterized by the presence of saturated, unsaturated, 10-methyl and hydroxyl fatty acids, with small amounts of branched fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains RP-B26(T) and RP-B30(T) were 73.0 and 71.7 mol%, respectively. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between the isolates were 44.9 ± 1.5 % (thermal renaturation method) and 43.2 % (photobiotin-labelled method); the isolates showed low DNA-DNA relatedness values (<11 %) to the most closely related strain, N. humi KCTC 19265(T). On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and DNA-DNA hybridization data presented here, the isolates are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides ultimimeridianus sp. nov. (type strain RP-B26(T)  = KCTC 19368(T)  = DSM 19768(T)) and Nocardioides maradonensis sp. nov. (type strain RP-B30(T)  = KCTC 19384(T)  = DSM 19769(T)) are proposed.

The Pleurotus eryngii species complex comprises at least six varieties (var. eryngii (DC.: Fr) Quel., ferulae Lanzi, elaeoselini Venturella et al., nebrodensis (Inzenga) Sacc., tingitanus Lewinsohn et al. and tuoliensis C.J. Mou). This species is unique among the genus Pleurotus because in nature it is found in association with certain species of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) and Asteraceae (Compositae) families. Sequences of partial regions of the translation elongation factor (EF1α) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes were analyzed in order to detect nucleotide polymorphisms that might unequivocally distinguish varieties eryngii, ferulae, elaeoselini and nebrodensis. A phylogenetic analysis was also performed with an aim to establish phylogenetic relationships among those. Sequence analysis of the partial EF1α and RPB2 genes contained nucleotide polymorphisms able to unequivocally distinguish variety nebrodensis from the rest. However, distinction among eryngii, elaeoselini and ferulae was achieved only through the RPB2 gene. The phylogenetic analyses from the combined data sets (EF1α and RPB2) indicated that P. eryngii is a monophyletic group and that varieties eryngii, elaeoselini and ferulae are closely related. P. eryngii var. nebrodensis was placed in a distinct clade clearly differentiated from the other varieties but still monophyletic with the P. eryngii complex. The limited nucleotide variation in partial EF1α and RPB2 among varieties eryngii, ferulae and elaeoselini supports the placement of these groups as varieties and not species within the complex., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Six diseases have been found after disease surveys on Notopterygium incisum in Gansu province during 2004 to 2007. They were brown spot (Ascochyta levistici), powdery mildew (Erysiphe heraclei), grey spot (Alternaria sp. ; Alternaria burnsii), leaf spot (Septoria dearnessii), angular leaf spot (Pleospora sp.), leaf streak (Phoma sp.), bacterial angular leaf spot and a virus disease. Bacterial angular leaf spot and powdery mildew are the urgent problems waiting to be solved effectively. All these diseases were reported for the first time in China.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain RP-AC36(T), was isolated from a cliff-associated plant (Peucedanum japonicum Thunb.) in the Republic of Korea and its taxonomic status was determined by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the organism formed a distinct clade within the radiation of the genus Amycolatopsis. The chemotaxonomic properties supported the assignment of the isolate to the genus Amycolatopsis. High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found with Amycolatopsis sulphurea (98.2 %), Amycolatopsis halotolerans (97.5 %) and Amycolatopsis jejuensis (97.1 %). DNA-DNA relatedness data, together with phenotypic differences, clearly distinguished the isolate from its closest relative A. sulphurea. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, it is suggested that the organism be assigned as representing a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis ultiminotia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RP-AC36(T) (=NRRL B-24662(T)=DSM 45180(T)).

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from stems and leaves, fruits and roots of Scaligeria tripartita oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 38 compounds were identified ranging 89-94% of the oil samples. Geijerene was found as a main compound in the oils of the stems and leaves (37%) and fruits (55%), whereas epoxypseudoisoeugenol angelate (37%) was found as a main compound in the root oil. Oils were subsequently evaluated for their antimalarial, antimicrobial against human pathogenic bacteria or fungi and antifungal activities against plant pathogens. Antifungal activity of Scaligeria oils was observed against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides using the direct overlay bioautography assay. Chemotaxonomically important pure compounds indicated in the bioautography assay were subsequently evaluated in a 96-well microdilution broth assay. The performance of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) and TLC for the analysis of Scaligeria essential oils was also compared.

During 2002-2003 increased numbers of notified salmonellosis due to S. enterica serovar Agona were observed in Germany. In order to understand the recent spread of this serovar and to trace the route of infection to its source, a new phage-typing scheme and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used to analyse these isolates. By using 14 bacteriophages, 52 phage types were distinguished among the S. Agona strains. PFGE also differentiated 52 different patterns. A combination of both methods generated 94 clonal types among 165 S. Agona strains originating from Germany and other countries including the United States, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, India, Austria and Finland, indicating a great biological diversity within this serovar. However, 36 recent S. Agona isolates from infantile gastroenteritis in Germany, from an untreated batch of aniseed imported from Turkey and from fennel-aniseed-caraway infusion (packed in tea bags) revealed clonal identity indicating their epidemiological relatedness as a new source of infection. It is suggested that strains of S. Agona will continue to be of public health concern, and that phage typing together with PFGE typing should be applied as reliable and rapid tools for epidemiological subtyping and future monitoring.

Unpublished data on the chemical composition and nutritional value of Pleurotus mushrooms, growing on Umbelliferous plants (Apiaceae), are here reported. Cultivated basidiomata of four different Pleurotus taxa were analyzed in order to evaluate the composition in lipids, sugars, nitrogen, water, vitamins, ashes, and energetic values. The results showed that Pleurotus mushrooms are suitable in every type of diet thanks to their low caloric content, gastronomic value, vitamins, and mineral salt contents. The presence of a high content of vitamin B(12) and riboflavin in Pleurotus nebrodensis is noteworthy.

An increasingly popular approach used to identify arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in planta is to amplify a portion of AM fungal small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU-rDNA) from whole root DNA extractions using the primer pair AM1-NS31, followed by cloning and sequencing. We used this approach to study the AM fungal community composition of three common oak-woodland plant species: a grass (Cynosurus echinatus), blue oak (Quercus douglasii), and a forb (Torilis arvensis). Significant diversity of AM fungi were found in the roots of C. echinatus, which is consistent with previous studies demonstrating a high degree of AM fungal diversity from the roots of various hosts. In contrast, clones from Q. douglasii and T. arvensis were primarily from non-AM fungi of diverse origins within the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. This work demonstrates that caution must be taken when using this molecular approach to determine in planta AM fungal diversity if non-sequence based methods such as terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, or temperature gradient gel electrophoresis are used.

Alternaria alternata and Alternaria radicina are fungal species that occur in several food crops and may produce mycotoxins and phytotoxins. The toxigenic profile of A. alternata and A. radicina isolated from carrot and other umbelliferous plants was determined by growing the fungus on rice and carrot discs. Most of the tested isolates of A. alternata produced the mycotoxins tenuazonic acid, alternariol, alternariol methyl ether and altertoxin-I on rice. Only alternariol and alternariol methyl ether were produced on carrot discs. When cultured on rice, none of the isolates of A. alternata from umbelliferous plants produced AAL toxins and fumonisins. AAL toxins, but not fumonisins, were instead produced by A. alternata f. sp. lycopersici isolate NRRL 18822 isolated from tomato. A. radicina produced the phytotoxic compounds radicinin, epi-radicinol and radicinol on carrot discs, whereas it produced radicinin and radicinol on rice. Although A. alternata has been frequently found in organic carrots, none of the above mycotoxins was detected in carrot roots or in carrot commercial products. The reduction of alternariol and alternariol methyl ether during carrot juice processing at laboratory scale was estimated to be >98%. Based on these findings and previous reports, it can be concluded that Alternaria mycotoxins in carrots do not represent a hazard for consumers.

The micropropagation of T. garganica, a medicinally important plant, was investigated as an option for conservation purposes as wild populations are becoming sparse. A Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l(-1) alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid and 1.5 mg l(-1) benzyl-6-adenine significantly improved the production of multiple shoots directly from petiole and leaflet explants compared to other plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations. Medium free of PGRs promoted rooting at a low incidence. Acclimatisation was low--52% plantlet survival--as micropropagated plantlets were highly susceptible to fungal rot once removed from culture. Application of antifungal agents to in vitro-derived plantlets as pre- and post-acclimatisation treatments during transplanting significantly reduced ex vitro mortality.

Objective: To control the medicinal plant diseases with the preparation of Trichoderma harzianum., Method: Antagonistic action of the preparation to the pathogens of the medicinal plants in vitro, and controling effects of the preparation on these diseases in greenhouse and in the field were tested., Result: The test in vitro showed that Trichoderma harzianum, used as a biocontrol factor, had stronger antagonistic action to Fusarium equiseti, Sclerotinia sp. and Rhizoctonia solani which were the medicinal plant pathogens of Astragalus membranaceus, Glehnia littoralis and Panax quinquefolium respectively. Biological controling effects on sclerotium root rot of Glehnia littoralis were 83.6% and 72.5% respectively in greenhouse and in the field with the preparation of Trichoderma harzianum. And controling effects on root rot of Astragalus membranaceus and seedling damping-off of Panax quinquefolium were 80% and 60% respectively in the field. The dosage of the preparation used in the field was 10 g.m-2., Conclusion: The preparation of Trichoderma harzianum can be used as a substitute for such chemicals as Carbendazim. Using the preparation to control medicinal plant diseases provides a technical safeguard for the good agricultural practice of medicinal plants.

The Pleurotus eryngii species-complex includes populations of choice edible mushrooms, growing in the greater Mediterranean area in close association with different genera of plants of the family Apiaceae. Their distinct host-specialization served as the principal criterion for the discrimination of several taxa; however, the genetic relationships among the various P. eryngii ecotypes remain ambiguous. In the present study, 46 Pleurotus strains with a wide range of geographical origins were isolated from Eryngium spp., Ferula communis, Cachrys ferulacea, Thapsia garganica and Elaeoselinum asclepium subsp. asclepium, and were subjected to isozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD) analysis. The 16 enzyme activities tested were controlled by 28 loci, 11 of which were monomorphic. Host-exclusive zymograms for the Aph (acid phosphatase) and Phe-1 (dopa-phenoloxidase) loci were obtained from Pleurotus strains associated with C. ferulacea. Allele frequencies, genetic diversity and mean diversity were high for isolates from Eryngium spp. and Ferula communis. In RAPD analysis, the use of five primers allowed the production of 45 (out of 48) polymorphic bands, while four molecular markers specific for the identification of Pleurotus strains growing on E. asclepium subsp. asclepium and C. ferulacea were obtained. The Pleurotus strains produced 35 distinct electrophoretic types and 42 RAPD patterns, which independently permitted the separation of the fungal populations into five clusters in accordance with their host-specificity. In addition, the evaluation of the principal ecological and morphological characters provided further evidence for discriminating between P. nebrodensis growing on C. ferulacea and the rest of the host-associated populations. The latter represent taxa at the varietal level: P. eryngii var. eryngii, P. eryngii var. ferulae and P. eryngii var. elaeoselini. The position of taxa of dubious validity, such as P. hadamardii and P. fossulatus, is discussed in relation to the new findings. All Mediterranean Pleurotus populations growing on umbellifers seem to have recently diverged through a sympatric speciation process, that is based on both intrinsic reproductive barriers and extrinsic ecogeographical factors.

An outbreak of Salmonella serotype Thompson in California was identified through laboratory-based surveillance and investigated with case-control, traceback, and laboratory studies. There were 35 "sporadic" cases and a restaurant-associated outbreak of 41 cases with onset between 6 March and 31 March 1999. Three case patients were hospitalized. A case-control study found a significant association between illness and eating cilantro at a restaurant (63% of case patients vs. 34% of control subjects; odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-11.4). Although common distributors of cilantro were identified, inadequate records prohibited the identification of a single farm supplying cilantro. At room temperature, Salmonella Thompson grew more rapidly and to a higher concentration on chopped cilantro, compared with whole-leaf cilantro. Freshly made salsa (pH 3.4) supported growth of Salmonella Thompson. Cilantro should be served promptly after chopping. Accurate records of the distribution of produce should be available, and bacterial contamination of produce should be prevented in retail and wholesale establishments, in packing sheds, and on farms.

Cultured parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cells respond to treatment with elicitors derived from different species of the genus Phytophthora with transcript accumulation of defense-associated genes and the production of furanocoumarin phytoalexins. Pep-25, an oligopeptide fragment of a Phytophthora sojae 42-kDa cell wall protein, and a cell wall elicitor preparation derived from Phytophthora parasitica (Pp-elicitor) stimulate accumulation of the same gene transcripts and formation of the same pattern of furanocoumarins. Treatment of cultured cells and protoplasts with proteinase-digested Pp-elicitor identified proteinaceous constituents as active eliciting compounds in parsley. Similar to Pep- 25, Pp-elicitor induced effluxes of K+ and Cl- and influxes of protons and Ca2+. Concomitantly, as monitored in aequorin-transgenic parsley cell lines both elicitors induced an immediate increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration up to sustained levels of 175 nM (Pp-elicitor) or 300 nM (Pep-25), respectively. The signature of the Ca2+ response differed greatly between the two elicitors tested. Extracellular Ca2+ proved essential for activation of an oxidative burst, MAP kinase activity and phytoalexin production by either elicitor. While Pp-elicitor induced a qualitatively similar spectrum of defense responses as did Pep-25, elicitor-specific quantitative differences in response intensity and kinetics suggest activation of a conserved signaling cascade through separate ligand binding sites.

Outbreaks of shigellosis associated with chopped parsley used as a garnish for foods occurred in four states in the United States and in two Canadian provinces in 1998. This prompted a study to determine survival and growth characteristics of Shigella sonnei inoculated onto raw parsley. Two inoculum levels (approximately 10(3) and 10(6) CFU/g) were applied to parsley leaves, portions of which were then chopped. Inoculated whole and chopped parsley leaves were held at 4 degrees C or 21 degrees C for up to 14 days. Initial populations of the organism on chopped parsley receiving high or low levels of inoculum increased by approximately 3 log10 CFU/g, within 1 day at 21 degrees C. Populations of S. sonnei on inoculated chopped or whole parsley leaves held at 4 degrees C decreased by 2.5 to 3.0 log10 CFU/g during a 14-day storage period. The pathogen multiplied, without a lag phase, on inoculated (2.72 log10 CFU/g) chopped parsley held at 21 degrees C, exceeding 6 log10 CFU/g within 24 h. Treatment of inoculated whole parsley leaves with vinegar containing 5.2% (vol/vol) acetic acid or 200 ppm free chlorine for 5 min at 21 degrees C reduced the population of S. sonnei by more than 6 log10 CFU/g, whereas treatment with vinegar containing 7.6% acetic acid or 250 ppm free chlorine reduced initial populations of 7.07 and 7.26 log10 CFU/g, respectively, to undetectable levels (<0.6 log10 CFU/g). These studies revealed that S. sonnei can grow rapidly on chopped parsley held at ambient temperature and remain viable for at least 14 days at 4 degrees C. Treatment of contaminated parsley with vinegar or chlorinated water offers a simple method to reduce markedly or eliminate the pathogen in food-service or home settings.

Typical phytoplasma yellows symptoms were observed in parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.) plants grown around Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Examination of ultrathin sections of leaf midribs by electron microscopy revealed numerous phytoplasma bodies localized in the phloem cells. DNA extracted from the infected leaves was amplified with a 16S rDNA universal primer pair P1/P6 giving the expected PCR product of 1.5 kb. The phytoplasma was confirmed as a member of the aster yellows (AY) group by amplification with the specific primer pair R16(1)/F1/R1 that was designed on the basis of AY phytoplasma 16S rDNA sequences. In the nested PCR assays, the expected DNA fragment of 1.1 kb was amplified with this specific primer set. Similar restriction patterns were found for the 1.1 kb PCR products of the phytoplasma isolated from parsnip and an AY phytoplasma control after digestion with restriction endonucleases AluI, HhaI, KpnI and RsaI. This is the first reported observation of aster yellows in parsnip in Canada.

Previous studies have shown that the production of extracellular enzymes (pectate lyase [Pel], polygalacturonase [Peh], cellulase [Cel], and protease [Prt]) and harpin(Ecc) (the elicitor of hypersensitive reaction) in Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora is regulated by RsmA, an RNA-binding protein, and rsmB, a regulatory RNA (Rsm stands for regulator of secondary metabolites) (Y. Liu et al., Mol. Microbiol. 29:219-234, 1998). We have cloned and characterized a novel regulatory gene, rsmC, that activates RsmA production and represses extracellular enzyme and harpin(Ecc) production, rsmB transcription, and virulence in E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. In an rsmC knockout mutant of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora Ecc71 carrying the chromosomal copy of the wild-type rsmA(+) allele, the basal levels of Pel, Peh, Cel, Prt, and harpin(Ecc) as well as the amounts of rsmB, pel-1, peh-1, celV, and hrpN(Ecc) transcripts are high, whereas the levels of rsmA transcripts and RsmA protein are low. Furthermore, the expression of an rsmA-lacZ gene fusion is lower in the RsmC(-) mutant than in the RsmC(+) parent. Conversely, the expression of an rsmB-lacZ operon fusion is higher in the RsmC(-) mutant than in the RsmC(+) parent. These observations establish that RsmC negatively regulates rsmB transcription but positively affects RsmA production. Indeed, comparative studies with an RsmC(-) mutant, an RsmA(-) mutant, and an RsmA(-) RsmC(-) double mutant have revealed that the negative effects on exoprotein production and virulence are due to the cumulative regulatory effects of RsmC on rsmA and rsmB. Exoprotein production by the RsmC(-) mutant is partially dependent on the quorum sensing signal, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone. Southern blot data and analysis of PCR products disclosed the presence of rsmC sequences in E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica, E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum, and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. These findings collectively support the idea that rsmA and rsmB expression in these plant pathogenic Erwinia species is controlled by RsmC or a functional homolog of RsmC.

In August 1998, the Minnesota Department of Health reported to CDC two restaurant-associated outbreaks of Shigella sonnei infections. Isolates from both outbreaks had two closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns that differed only by a single band. Epidemiologic investigations implicated chopped, uncooked, curly parsley as the common vehicle for these outbreaks. Through inquiries to health departments and public health laboratories, six similar outbreaks were identified during July-August (in California [two], Massachusetts, and Florida in the United States and in Ontario and Alberta in Canada). Isolates from five of these outbreaks had the same PFGE pattern identified in the two outbreaks in Minnesota. This report describes the epidemiologic, traceback, environmental, and laboratory investigations, which implicated parsley imported from a farm in Mexico as the source of these outbreaks.

The transcription rates of numerous plant genes have previously been shown to be strongly affected by pathogen infection or elicitor treatment. Here we estimate the extent and complexity of this response by analyzing the patterns of mRNA induction in fungal elicitor-treated parsley cells (Petroselinum crispum) for several representatives from various primary and secondary metabolic pathways, cytosolic as well as plastidic. As a reference, we use the biphasic accumulation curve for the coordinately induced mRNAs encoding the three core enzymes of general phenylpropanoid metabolism, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and 4-coumarate:CoA ligase. Coincidence with this curve was observed for the mRNA induction kinetics of several, but not all, phenylpropanoid branch pathway-related reactions, whereas seven selected mRNAs from the pentose phosphate, glycolytic and shikimate pathways, including various cytosolic and plastidic isoforms, were induced with great differences in timing. Likewise unique and dissimilar from the reference curve were the induction patterns for various mRNAs encoding enzymes or proteins that are either more distantly or not at all related to phenylpropanoid metabolism. None of over 40 mRNAs tested so far remained unaffected. Using one strongly elicitor-responsive mRNA from carbohydrate metabolism, encoding a cytosolic glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, for in situ RNA/RNA hybridization in fungus-infected parsley leaf tissue, we observed again the previously reported, close simulation of metabolic changes in true plant/fungus interactions by elicitor treatment of cultured cells. In addition to demonstrating extensive, highly complex functional, temporal and spatial patterns of changes in gene expression in infected plant cells, these results provide valuable information for the identification of pathogen-responsive promoters suitable for gene technology-assisted resistance breeding.