Fungal microbiome profiling of diseased and healthy inflorescences of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

The overarching goal of this study was to investigate the specific fungal pathogen responsible for a severe disease observed in the inflorescences of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), a globally prevalent and highly competitive weed in rice paddies. To achieve this, we employed full-length amplicon sequencing to comprehensively profile and compare the fungal microbiome (mycobiota) of diseased versus healthy barnyardgrass inflorescences collected from the field. This approach aimed to move beyond symptom description to identify the key microbial agent driving the disease, characterize the associated restructuring of the resident fungal community, and assess the ecological dynamics of the infection. The findings are directly relevant to advancing sustainable agriculture, as the identification of a highly specific, native fungal pathogen provides a foundational scientific basis for developing a novel, environmentally friendly bioherbicide candidate for the targeted control of this problematic weed.