Find in Library

The filamentous fungus <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i> is the causative agent of one of the most serious diseases that damage plant fruit. In this study, we discovered and experimentally characterized a new gene in <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i> named <i>CgloRPCYG.</i> The CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutant and complementary strain of <i>CgloRPCYG</i> were then obtained by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation to determine the related phenotypes. Compared with the wild-type strain and complementary mutant, the pathogenicity of the CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutant was significantly decreased, the conidial yield was significantly reduced, and conidial germination was significantly delayed. These data indicate that <i>CgloRPCYG</i> contributes to pathogenicity, conidial yield, and germination in <i>C. gloeosporioides</i>. The successful application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in <i>C. gloeosporioides</i> also confirms its utility in filamentous fungi for fundamental research and practical application. Furthermore, <i>CgloRPCYG</i> is a potential target gene for use in the development of plant protection technologies, such as spray-induced gene silencing, with the aim of controlling plant anthracnose disease caused by <i>C. gloeosporioides</i>.