Greenhouses represent an important evolutionary niche for Alternaria alternata

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00390-24
• Publication Date: 2024-05-10T13:00:46Z
• Authors: Guangzhu Yang; Sai Cui; Wenjing Huang; Shutong Wang; Jun Ma; Ying Zhang; Jianping Xu
• Keywords: fungicide tolerance; cyp51; Alternaria; population genetics; fungal pathogen; triazoles; Microbiology; QR1-502; Research Article

ABSTRACT Alternaria alternata is a ubiquitous soil-borne fungus capable of causing diseases in variety plants and occasionally humans. While populations A. from infected have received significant attention, relatively little known about its soil populations, including population genetic structure antifungal susceptibilities. In addition, over the last two decades, greenhouses become increasingly important for food ornamental plant production throughout world, but how might impact microbial pathogens such as remains largely unknown. Different open crop fields, are often more intensively cultivated, with each greenhouse being small isolated space where temperature humidity higher than surrounding environments. Previous studies shown that common molds, Aspergillus fumigatus alternata, within community southwestern China were variably differentiated. However, relative contribution physical separation among local to large-scale Here, we strains seven Shijiazhuang, northeast China. Their diversity triazole susceptibilities analyzed compared other 242 isolates nine Kunming, southwest Results showed isolation located <1 km locally contributed similarly overall variation between distant geographic regions. our results indicate could be sources resistance, differing their frequencies resistant different triazoles. IMPORTANCE Greenhouses security. understanding may contribute variations very limited. this study, obtained cosmopolitan fungal pathogen Our analyses revealed high proportions agricultural fungicides medical drugs, cross-resistance both groups found few kilometers similar levels differentiation those separated by 2,000 study suggests potentially represent an ecological niche emerging threat security human health.