Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China

Root rot, a globally devastating disease of common bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.), remains a major constraint on bean production across China. Despite its agricultural impact, the pathogen complex associated with this disease has been poorly characterized in most provinces. To addre...

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Main Authors: Li Yang, Xiao-Hong Lu, Bo-Ming Wu, Zeng-Ming Zhong, Shi-Dong Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1426
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author Li Yang
Xiao-Hong Lu
Bo-Ming Wu
Zeng-Ming Zhong
Shi-Dong Li
author_facet Li Yang
Xiao-Hong Lu
Bo-Ming Wu
Zeng-Ming Zhong
Shi-Dong Li
author_sort Li Yang
collection DOAJ
description Root rot, a globally devastating disease of common bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.), remains a major constraint on bean production across China. Despite its agricultural impact, the pathogen complex associated with this disease has been poorly characterized in most provinces. To address this critical knowledge gap, we conducted nationwide surveys during 2016–2018, systematically sampling 1–10 symptomatic plants from each of 121 (2016) and 170 (2018) field sites across 17 provinces in China’s major vegetable production regions. Isolates obtained from symptomatic root tissues underwent morphological screening, followed by molecular identification using partial sequences of <i>EF1-α</i> for <i>Fusarium</i> species and ITS regions for other genera. Pathogenicity of representative isolates was subsequently confirmed through controlled greenhouse assays. This integrated approach revealed fourteen fungal and oomycete genera, with <i>Fusarium</i> (predominantly <i>F. oxysporum</i> and <i>F. solani</i>) and <i>Rhizoctonia</i> (<i>R. solani</i>) emerging as the most prevalent pathogens. Notably, pathogen composition exhibited significant regional variation and underwent temporal shifts across developmental stages. Additionally, <i>F. oxysporum</i>, <i>F. solani</i>, and <i>R. solani</i> demonstrated significant interspecies associations with frequent co-occurrence in bean root rot systems. Collectively, this first comprehensive characterization of China’s common bean root rot complex not only clarifies spatial–temporal pathogen dynamics but also provides actionable insights for developing region- and growth stage-specific management strategies, particularly through targeted control of dominant pathogens during key infection windows.
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spelling doaj-art-bc259a9dcd06468da8024c9a7cb925862025-08-20T02:35:53ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-07-011513142610.3390/agriculture15131426Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in ChinaLi Yang0Xiao-Hong Lu1Bo-Ming Wu2Zeng-Ming Zhong3Shi-Dong Li4State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaDepartment of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaBeijing Qigao Biologics Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaRoot rot, a globally devastating disease of common bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L.), remains a major constraint on bean production across China. Despite its agricultural impact, the pathogen complex associated with this disease has been poorly characterized in most provinces. To address this critical knowledge gap, we conducted nationwide surveys during 2016–2018, systematically sampling 1–10 symptomatic plants from each of 121 (2016) and 170 (2018) field sites across 17 provinces in China’s major vegetable production regions. Isolates obtained from symptomatic root tissues underwent morphological screening, followed by molecular identification using partial sequences of <i>EF1-α</i> for <i>Fusarium</i> species and ITS regions for other genera. Pathogenicity of representative isolates was subsequently confirmed through controlled greenhouse assays. This integrated approach revealed fourteen fungal and oomycete genera, with <i>Fusarium</i> (predominantly <i>F. oxysporum</i> and <i>F. solani</i>) and <i>Rhizoctonia</i> (<i>R. solani</i>) emerging as the most prevalent pathogens. Notably, pathogen composition exhibited significant regional variation and underwent temporal shifts across developmental stages. Additionally, <i>F. oxysporum</i>, <i>F. solani</i>, and <i>R. solani</i> demonstrated significant interspecies associations with frequent co-occurrence in bean root rot systems. Collectively, this first comprehensive characterization of China’s common bean root rot complex not only clarifies spatial–temporal pathogen dynamics but also provides actionable insights for developing region- and growth stage-specific management strategies, particularly through targeted control of dominant pathogens during key infection windows.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1426common beanroot rotpathogen complexregional variationvirulence
spellingShingle Li Yang
Xiao-Hong Lu
Bo-Ming Wu
Zeng-Ming Zhong
Shi-Dong Li
Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
Agriculture
common bean
root rot
pathogen complex
regional variation
virulence
title Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
title_full Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
title_short Spatiotemporal Profiling of the Pathogen Complex Causing Common Bean Root Rot in China
title_sort spatiotemporal profiling of the pathogen complex causing common bean root rot in china
topic common bean
root rot
pathogen complex
regional variation
virulence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1426
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AT zengmingzhong spatiotemporalprofilingofthepathogencomplexcausingcommonbeanrootrotinchina
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