Search

A novel species of Penicillium , proposed as P . linzhiense sp.nov was isolated from soil collected in Linzhi Town, Linzhi County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. DNA sequence analyses from eight different gene regions indicate that the isolate represents a novel species and most closely related to P . janczewskii . The phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset of three genes, ITS, CaM , and BenA , also confirmed the placement of the novel species within the Canescentia section of the genus Penicillium . Differences in morphology among similar species are detailed and single gene phylogenies based on ITS, CaM and BenA genes as well as a multi-loci gene phylogeny are presented. Cultural studies were performed to study inhibitory activities on plant pathogens. The results reveal a notable antifungal activity against Pyricularia oryzae causing rice blast with an inhibition rate up to 77%, while for other three citrus pathogens, Diaporthe citri , Phyllosticta citrichinaensis , and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , inhibition rate was 40, 50, and 55% respectively. No noticeable effects were observed for Fusarium graminearum , Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai , and Rhizoctonia solani . Interestingly, unlike other reported members of Canescentia , P . linzhiense showed no antagonistic effect on root rotting fungi. The new taxon isolated here has the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent especially for economically important phytopathogens or emerging pathogens on diseases occurring on citrus or rice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Liang, Jeewon, Dhandevi, Durairajan, Li, Lin and Wang.)