Colletotrichum Pathogen Dynamics in Lupin Cultivation

Lupin species are vital legume crops valued for their high protein content, low input requirements and contribution to sustainable rotations. The anthracnose disease syndrome, driven by the ascomycete Colletotrichum lupini, undermines crop yields through stem and pod lesions, vascular necrosis and seedling collapse. Pathogen dynamics are shaped by a hemibiotrophic lifestyle in which an initial stealthy, biotrophic phase transitions to tissue-damaging necrotrophy. Genetic analyses have uncovered distinct clonal lineages with differential virulence profiles, while seedborne transmission ensures long-range dispersal and pandemic potential. On the host side, specific nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) genes confer race-specific resistance, triggering rapid reprogramming of defence responses, including reactive oxygen species burst and downregulation of photosynthesis. Integrated management hinges on early detection of low-level seed infection, deployment of resistant cultivars and development of sustainable seed treatments. Advances in population genomics, transcriptomics and diagnostic assays are converging to inform breeding programmes, phytosanitary measures and precision agriculture interventions against this globally significant pathogen.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have refined our understanding of the genetic diversity and host interactions of C. lupini. One investigation delineated six phylogenetic groups within global collections, revealing South America as the centre of origin and a highly virulent pandemic lineage dominating international seed exports. This work highlighted how a dispensable minichromosome contributes to host specificity and underlines the risks of asymptomatic seed trade. Another report elucidated the molecular basis of resistance in narrow-leafed lupin, identifying rapid transcriptomic shifts in lines carrying Lanr1 resistance alleles. Key findings included early activation of defence gene ontologies, such as oxidation–reduction and pathogenesis-related pathways, coupled with orchestrated suppression of photosynthesis during the biotrophic phase, exemplifying effector-triggered immunity.

Colletotrichum Pathogen Dynamics in Lupin Cultivation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in colletotrichum pathogen dynamics in lupin cultivation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Anthracnose: A plant disease caused by Colletotrichum species, characterised by necrotic lesions on stems, pods and leaves.

Clonality: Reproduction by genetically identical propagation leading to low sequence variation among strains.

Hemibiotrophic: A pathogen lifestyle involving an initial nutrient-extracting biotrophic phase followed by a destructive necrotrophic phase.

qPCR: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, a molecular technique for the sensitive detection and quantification of DNA.

NBS-LRR: Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat proteins, a class of plant immune receptors that recognise specific pathogen effectors.

References

1. Attack of the clones: Population genetics reveals clonality of Colletotrichum lupini, the causal agent of lupin anthracnose. Molecular Plant Pathology (2023).
2. Genetic diversity of Colletotrichum lupini and its virulence on white and Andean lupin. Scientific Reports (2021).
3. A qPCR Assay for the Fast Detection and Quantification of Colletotrichum lupini. Plants (2021).
4. The potential of alternative seed treatments to control anthracnose disease in white lupin. Crop Protection (2022).
5. A successful defense of the narrow-leafed lupin against anthracnose involves quick and orchestrated reprogramming of oxidation–reduction, photosynthesis and pathogenesis-related genes. Scientific Reports (2022).