Characterization of a new, nonpathogenic mutant of Botrytis cinerea with impaired plant colonization capacity.

International audience; Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic pathogen that attacks more than 200 plant species.Here, the nonpathogenic mutant A336, obtained via insertional mutagenesis, was characterized.Mutant A336 was nonpathogenic on leaves and fruits, on intact and wounded tissue, while still able to penetrate the host plant. It grew normally in vitro on rich media but its conidiation pattern was altered. The mutant did not produce oxalic acid and exhibited a modified regulation of the production of some secreted proteins (acid protease 1 and endopolygalacturonase 1). Culture filtrates of the mutant triggered an important oxidative burst in grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ) suspension cells, a…