Pathogenic fungi shape the fungal community, network complexity, and pathogenesis in kiwifruit

Abstract Kiwifruit decay caused by endophytic fungi is affected by exogenous pathogens that trigger changes in fungal community composition and interact with the endophytic fungal community. Four fungal pathogens of kiwifruit were identified. These were Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus flavus, Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Penicillium oxalicum. Except for P. oxalicum, the remaining three species represent newly described pathogens of kiwifruit. All four fungal species caused disease and decay in mature kiwifruit. Results of the fungal community analysis indicated that three pathogens that A. japonicus, A. flavus and P. oxalicum were the most dominant, however, other fungal species that did not cause disease symptoms were also present. Positive interactions between fungal species were found in asymptomatic, symptomatic, and infected kiwifruit. The ability of all four pathogens to infect kiwifruit was confirmed in an inoculation experiment. The presence of any one of the four identified pathogens accelerated decay development and limited the postharvest longevity of harvested kiwifruit. Results of the study identified and confirmed the ability of four fungal species to infect and cause decay in harvested kiwifruit. Changes in the structure and composition of the kiwifruit microbiome during the decay process were also characterized. This provides a foundation for the further study of the microbiome of kiwifruit and their involvement in postharvest diseases.