Male fertility in Pyricularia oryzae: Microconidia are spermatia

Abstract

Sexual reproduction in Ascomycetes is well described in several model organisms such as Neurospora crassa or Podospora anserina. Deciphering the biological process of sexual reproduction (from the recognition between compatible partners to the formation of zygote) can be a major advantage to better control sexually reproducing pathogenic fungi. In Pyricularia oryzae, the fungal pathogen causing blast diseases on several Poaceae species, the biology of sexual reproduction remains poorly documented. Besides the well-documented production of asexual macroconidia, the production of microconidia was seldom reported in P. oryzae, and their role as male gamete (i.e., spermatia) and in male fertility has never been explored. Here, we characterised the morphological features of microconidia and demonstrated that they are bona fide spermatia. Contrary to macroconidia, microconidia are not able to germinate and seem to be the only male gametes in P. oryzae. We show that fruiting body (perithecium) formation requires microconidia to get in contact with mycelium of strains of opposite mating type, to presumably fertilise the female gametes.