Figure 9. Loss of MoRGS1, MoRGS3, MoRGS4, and MoRGS7 lead to a significantly reduction in pathogenicity.

(A) Leaf spraying assay. Five milliliters of conidial suspension (5×10⁴ spores/ml) of each strain were sprayed on two-week old rice seedlings. Diseased leaves were photographed at 7 dpi. (B) Close observation of infectious growth. Excised rice sheath from 4-week-old rice seedlings was inoculated with conidial suspension (1×10⁴ spores/ml of each strain). Infectious growth was observed at 48 hpi. (C and D) ΔMorgs1ΔMorgs4 double mutant was unable to form appressorium and completely lose pathogenicity on detached barley seedling leaves. Diseased leaves were photographed 5 days after inoculation, and hyphal plugs were incubated on hydrophobic surfaces for 48 hours allowing appressorium formation.