AUTHOR=Zhang Zhengkun , Tian Yifan , Sui Li , Lu Yang , Cheng Ke , Zhao Yu , Li Qiyun , Shi Wangpeng TITLE=First record of Aspergillus nomiae as a broad-spectrum entomopathogenic fungus that provides resistance against phytopathogens and insect pests by colonization of plants JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1284276 DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1284276 ISSN=1664-302X ABSTRACT=Introduction

Aspergillus nomiae is known as a pathogenic fungus that infects humans and plants but has never been reported as an entomophagous fungus (EPF) that can provide other functions as an endotype.

Methods

A strain of EPF was isolated and identified from diseased larvae of Spodoptera litura in a soybean field and designated AnS1Gzl-1. Pathogenicity of the strain toward various insect pests was evaluated, especially the ability to colonize plants and induce resistance against phytopathogens and insect pests.

Results

The isolated EPF strain AnS1Gzl-1 was identified as A. nomiae; it showed strong pathogenicity toward five insect pests belonging to Lepidoptera and Hemiptera. Furthermore, the strain inhibited the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in vitro, a causal agent of soil-borne plant disease. It colonized plants as an endophyte via root irrigation with a high colonization rate of 90%, thereby inducing plant resistance against phytopathogen infection, and disrupting the feeding selectivity of S. litura larvae.

Discussion

This is the first record of a natural infection of A. nomiae on insects. A. nomiae has the potential to be used as a dual biocontrol EPF because of its ability to not only kill a broad spectrum of insect pests directly but also induce resistance against phytopathogens via plant colonization.