Strategy sets the scene: genetic architecture of linalool resistance in Botrytis cinerea
- 1Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, LA 70803 ,
- 2Department of Plant Sciences, University of California , Davis, CA 95616 ,
- 3Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University AgCenter , Baton Rouge, LA 70803 ,
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that infects thousands of plant species. During infection, these diverse plant hosts produce different specialized metabolites that can inhibit pathogen growth and shape pathogen fitness. However, the genetic architecture of pathogen resistance toward individual host defense metabolites remains poorly understood. To address this question, we exposed 83 B. cinerea isolates to the metabolite linalool and quantified physiological and structural responses. Exposure revealed extensive phenotypic diversity across isolates. Population structure analysis using genome-wide SNP data showed little genetic subdivision despite diverse hosts and geographic location. Genome-wide association identified 98 genes of interest associated with membrane transport and stress-response regulation. Genetic associations were stronger for morphological traits than for physiological traits, suggesting that hyphal architecture may have a complex genetic architecture contributing to linalool resistance. Together, these results establish natural variation in linalool response and provide candidate loci for understanding how generalist pathogens respond to host-derived chemical defenses.
Related
- Genetic dissection of soybean cyst nematode HG type 2.5.7 resistance reveals a multilocus architecture and favorable alleles from both parents
- Arsenic Resistance Protein BcArs2 Modulates Endogenous ROS Homeostasis in Infection Cushions to Enhance the Virulence of Botrytis cinerea Toward Host Plants
- Association mapping and genome prediction reveal a complex genetic architecture for resistance to black and frosty pod rot in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) populations
- Integrative genomic SEM analysis of shared genetic architecture and candidate genes for insulin resistance–related metabolic traits
- Rapid visual detection technologies for Botrytis cinerea resistance to QoI and SDHI fungicides based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a.
BibTeX
@article{madrigal2026strategy,
title = {{Strategy sets the scene: genetic architecture of linalool resistance in Botrytis cinerea}},
author = {Melanie Madrigal and Jenna C Moseley and Daniel J Kliebenstein and Jordan A Dowell},
journal = {G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkag288},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/g3journal/advance-article/doi/10.1093/g3journal/jkag288/8965456},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Strategy sets the scene: genetic architecture of linalool resistance in Botrytis cinerea
AU - Melanie Madrigal
AU - Jenna C Moseley
AU - Daniel J Kliebenstein
AU - Jordan A Dowell
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
DO - 10.1093/g3journal/jkag288
UR - https://academic.oup.com/g3journal/advance-article/doi/10.1093/g3journal/jkag288/8965456
AB - Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that infects thousands of plant species. During infection, these diverse plant hosts produce different specialized metabolites that can inhibit pathogen growth and shape pathogen fitness. However, the genetic architecture of pathogen resistance toward individual host defense metabolites remains poorly understood. To address this question, we exposed 83 B. cinerea isolates to the metabolite linalool and quantified physiological and structural responses. Exposure revealed extensive phenotypic diversity across isolates. Population structure analysis using genome-wide SNP data showed little genetic subdivision despite diverse hosts and geographic location. Genome-wide association identified 98 genes of interest associated with membrane transport and stress-response regulation. Genetic associations were stronger for morphological traits than for physiological traits, suggesting that hyphal architecture may have a complex genetic architecture contributing to linalool resistance. Together, these results establish natural variation in linalool response and provide candidate loci for understanding how generalist pathogens respond to host-derived chemical defenses.
SN - 2160-1836
ER -