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Background <p><i>Zanthoxylum bungeanum</i> is an economically and ecologically significant species, but its production and quality are increasingly threatened by widespread leaf defoliation disease in China. The absence of molecular identification and genomic characterization of the causal pathogen has hindered both fundamental research on host–pathogen interactions and the development of effective control measures.</p> Results <p>In this study, the fungal isolate PL-2024a was isolated from defoliated <i>Z. bungeanum</i> and established as the causal agent via Koch's postulates. Through an integrated morphological analysis that included histopathology (optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy) and in vitro culture characteristics, coupled with phylogenetic analyses, we provided the first molecular confirmation and robust characterization of the pathogen as <i>Marssonina zanthoxyli</i>, a species previously described solely by oversimplified morphological characteristics. Subsequent whole-genome sequencing, de novo assembly, and comprehensive annotation of <i>M. zanthoxyli</i> yielded a high-quality genome assembly spanning 80.49&#xa0;Mb, comprising 19 contigs and encoding 8,494 putative protein-coding genes. Pathogenicity-related functional repertoire analysis identified 354 CAZymes, 100 effector proteins, 70 CYP450s, and 159 enzymes involved in secondary metabolic pathways. Comparative genomic analyses elucidated the phylogenomic evolutionary relationships, estimated divergence times, and characterized gene family expansion/contraction events within <i>M. zanthoxyli</i>. Molecular dating revealed that <i>M. zanthoxyli</i> diverged from its closest relatives approximately 18.5 MYA. Additionally, 221 lineage-specific genes were identified in <i>M. zanthoxyli</i>, with the most enriched functional domains including DNA/RNA polymerases and reverse transcriptases associated with long terminal repeats.</p> Conclusion <p>This study identified and genomically characterized <i>M. zanthoxyli</i>, clarifying its taxonomic status and revealing pathogenicity’s genetic basis. These findings lay a crucial foundation for understanding <i>Z. bungeanum</i>-<i>M. zanthoxyli</i> interactions and developing targeted leaf defoliation management strategies.</p>

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Integrated taxonomy and genomic analysis of Marssonina zanthoxyli, the causal agent of prickly ash leaf defoliation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月19日

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  • Jiahui Jiao,
  • Le Zhao,
  • Siyu Zhong,
  • Juanjuan Xue,
  • Guanghui Tang,
  • Peiqin Li

摘要

Background

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an economically and ecologically significant species, but its production and quality are increasingly threatened by widespread leaf defoliation disease in China. The absence of molecular identification and genomic characterization of the causal pathogen has hindered both fundamental research on host–pathogen interactions and the development of effective control measures.

Results

In this study, the fungal isolate PL-2024a was isolated from defoliated Z. bungeanum and established as the causal agent via Koch's postulates. Through an integrated morphological analysis that included histopathology (optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy) and in vitro culture characteristics, coupled with phylogenetic analyses, we provided the first molecular confirmation and robust characterization of the pathogen as Marssonina zanthoxyli, a species previously described solely by oversimplified morphological characteristics. Subsequent whole-genome sequencing, de novo assembly, and comprehensive annotation of M. zanthoxyli yielded a high-quality genome assembly spanning 80.49 Mb, comprising 19 contigs and encoding 8,494 putative protein-coding genes. Pathogenicity-related functional repertoire analysis identified 354 CAZymes, 100 effector proteins, 70 CYP450s, and 159 enzymes involved in secondary metabolic pathways. Comparative genomic analyses elucidated the phylogenomic evolutionary relationships, estimated divergence times, and characterized gene family expansion/contraction events within M. zanthoxyli. Molecular dating revealed that M. zanthoxyli diverged from its closest relatives approximately 18.5 MYA. Additionally, 221 lineage-specific genes were identified in M. zanthoxyli, with the most enriched functional domains including DNA/RNA polymerases and reverse transcriptases associated with long terminal repeats.

Conclusion

This study identified and genomically characterized M. zanthoxyli, clarifying its taxonomic status and revealing pathogenicity’s genetic basis. These findings lay a crucial foundation for understanding Z. bungeanum-M. zanthoxyli interactions and developing targeted leaf defoliation management strategies.