Master of Science / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Karen A. Garrett / Caterina M. Scoglio / With rapid global movement of epidemics, research efforts to characterize dynamics of epidemics have gained much focus. Traditional epidemiological models have focused on only temporal components of epidemics. Development of spatio-temporal models proved to be a notable achievement in epidemiology. Network-based epidemiological models enable better handling of spatial and temporal components of an epidemic. Early network models considered a binary level of contact between infected entities, which is an idealistic approach. A realistic approach would use weighted edges which signify the level of interaction between the nodes where the edge-weights change over time as a function of environmental factors. Estimation of edge weights from observed time series is a relatively less explored area for network modeling. Dynamic networks make the problem more complicated as edge weights change over time. Estimation of parameters for models describing the edge weights as a function of variables that change in time has the potential to provide better general models. Soybean rust (caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi) is an important disease globally and its occurrence in the US has been studied extensively since its introduction in 2004. Rust is a fungal disease which propagates as a result of the fungal spores being carried by the wind. In this thesis, a network network based model is proposed to predict the intensity of spread of the disease in space and time. This model uses the host abundance and wind data and the observed rust incidence time series to compute the edge-weights. Also, the edge-weights in the model change over time thus following a dynamic approach. In order to cut costs involved with the establishment and maintenance of infection monitoring sites, the effect of removal of monitoring nodes using various strategies has also been analyzed in this thesis. The model has been tested with observed soybean rust data from sentinel plot network from across the United States.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1963 H32 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 C66 / Master of Science

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Jianming Yu / Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), is an economically important foliar disease worldwide. Race 1 of the fungus, which produces the necrosis toxin Ptr ToxA and the chlorosis toxin Ptr ToxC, is the most prevalent race in the Great Plains of the United States. The purposes of this study are to 1) identify and map novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) involved in resistance to tan spot race 1 in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 2) explore the inverse gene-for-gene interaction in the wheat-P. tritici-repentis pathosystem. A population of 288 F2:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from the cross between Chinese landrace WSB (resistant) and Ning7840 (highly susceptible) was firstly used to identify genomic regions harboring novel sources of resistance. Two QTLs associated with resistance to chlorosis were mapped to the short arm of chromosome 1A and 2B in the WSB/Ning7840 population. No interaction was found between the two QTL. To further explore the specific wheat-ToxC model, three other populations were developed based on two susceptible parents, Ning7840 and Wheaton. QTL analysis revealed that common QTL were detected in populations shared with the same susceptible parents. The observations suggested that susceptibility rather than resistance for tan spot chlorosis is specific and presented evidence for the inverse gene-for-gene theory in the WSB-ToxC pathosystem. Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks., is another important foliar disease of common wheat worldwide. The rust-resistance genes Lr41 and Lr42 from T. tauschii accessions TA2460 (Lr41) and TA2450 (Lr42) have been used as sources of rust resistance in breeding programs. Molecular markers linked to these genes are essential tools for gene pyramiding. Two BC3F2:6 mapping populations were evaluated for leaf rust resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages and analyzed with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Both genetic and physical mapping confirmed that markers linked to Lr41 and Lr42 were on chromosome arm 2DS and 1DS, respectively. Marker analysis in a diverse set of wheat germplasm indicated that tightly linked markers for Lr41 and Lr42 can be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding programs.

Master of Science / Department of Plant Pathology / Erick D. DeWolf / Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, historically has been a minor problem in the Great Plains. However, Kansas had significant losses due to stripe rust in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Recent research on the population of P. striiformis suggests changes in the fungal population may have been responsible for these epidemics. The objectives of this research were to determine conditions that are favorable for the infection of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici isolates from the current population and develop models to predict infection events. Two week old potted seedlings were inoculated with an isolate of P. striiformis and exposed to ambient weather conditions for 16 hours. Results of this bioassay were used to develop logistic regression models of infection. Models using hours at relative humidity >87%, leaf wetness, and mean relative humidity predicted infection with 93%, 80%, and 76% accuracy. Future research will use these results to determine weather patterns that influence the probability of stripe rust epidemics and to facilitate the development of regional prediction models for stripe rust. Foliar diseases of wheat result in an average yield loss of 7.8% in Kansas. Although it is possible to reduce these losses with foliar fungicides, the yield increases resulting from these applications may not justify the additional costs. The objective of this research was to develop models that help producers identify factors associated with disease-related yield loss and the profitable use of foliar fungicides. Data were collected for two years at three locations in central Kansas to determine yield response to fungicide application on eight varieties with varying degrees of resistance. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of a yield response >4 bushels per acre based on disease resistance of a variety, historical disease risk, and in-season disease risk. The accuracy of the resulting prediction models ranged from 84% to 71%. A model combining in-season disease risk and variety resistance was most accurate. The prediction accuracy of the model was 79% when tested with an independent validation dataset. In the future, these models will serve as educational tools to help producers maximize profit and productivity.

La rouille orangée du caféier causée par le champignon biotrophe Hemileia vastatrix (Berk et Br.) est la maladie la plus dévastatrice du caféier (Coffea arabica L.). La résistance à la rouille dans l'espèce allotétraploïde C. arabica semble jusqu'à présent conditionnée principalement par 9 facteurs de résistance majeurs (SH1-SH9), seuls ou en combinaison. Les variétés d'Arabica contenant le facteur de résistance SH3 introgressé d'une espèce de caféier sauvage (C. liberica) ont démontré une résistance durable au champ. L'objectif principal de ce travail était d'étudier l'organisation génomique, l'évolution et la diversité du locus SH3 chez le caféier et parallèlement de développer des outils permettant la validation fonctionnelle des gènes candidats pour la résistance à la rouille. Comme Une carte physique couvrant la région SH3 a tout d'abord été construite chez C. arabica et la position du locus de résistance a été délimitée dans un intervalle de 550 kb. La région a été séquencée chez trois génomes de caféier, Ea et Ca sous-génomes de C. arabica et Cc génome de C. canephora. L'analyse des séquences a révélé la présence d'un nombre variable de membres de la sous-classe CC-NBS-LRR ; ces gènes semblant être exclusivement présents à ce locus chez C. arabica. L'analyse génomique comparative indique que i) l'origine de la plupart des copies SH3-CNL est antérieure à la divergence entre les espèces de Coffea, ii) la copie ancestrale SH3-CNL a été insérée dans le locus SH3 après la divergence entre les Solanales et Rubiales. En outre, les mécanismes de duplication, délétion, conversion génique et de sélection positive semblent être les principales forces qui déterminent l'évolution des membres de la famille SH3-CNL. Différentes approches ont été entreprises pour le clonage des gènes candidats de résistance à la rouille. En parallèle, un protocole très efficace de transformation par Agrobacterium tumefaciens a été développé chez le caféier. Des plantes transgéniques contenant l'un des gènes R candidats ont été produites et acclimatées. Le bio-essai pour évaluer la résistance à H. vastatrix a été mis au point. La mise en place de protocoles efficaces pour le clonage des gènes de résistance et la transformation génétique ouvre la voie à la génomique fonctionnelle en routine chez le caféier. L'amélioration des connaissances sur la diversité des gènes de résistance à la rouille permettra l'optimisation des schémas de sélection pour la résistance durable à cette maladie majeure du caféier. / Coffee leaf rust (CLR) caused by the biotrophic fungus Hemileia vastatrix (Berk and Br.) is the most devastating disease of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica). Resistance to CLR in its allotetraploid species appears so far conditioned primarily by 9 major resistance factors (SH1-SH9) either singly or in combination. Arabica varieties harboring the SH3 resistant factor introgressed from a wild coffee species (C. liberica) have demonstrated agronomical acceptable durable resistance in field conditions. The main objective of this work was to study the genomic organization, evolution and diversity of SH3 locus in coffee and in parallel to develop tools for functional gene validation of resistance candidate genes to CLR. As the first step, a physical map spanning the SH3 region in C. arabica was constructed and the position of the resistance locus was delimited within an interval of 550 kb. The region was completely sequenced in three coffee genomes, Ea and Ca subgenomes from C. arabica and Cc genome from C. canephora. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a variable number of members CC subclass of NBS-LRR genes thatappeared to be exclusively present at this locus in C. arabica. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that i) the origin of most of the SH3-CNL copies predates the divergence between Coffea species ii) the ancestral SH3-CNL copy was inserted in the SH3 locus after the divergence between Solanales and Rubiales lineages. Furthermore, duplications, deletions, gene conversion and positive selection appeared as the main forces that drive SH3-CNL evolution. Different approaches have been undertaken to clone candidate genes to CLR. In parallel, a highly efficient and reliable Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated protocol was established for coffee. Transgenic plants containing one of the candidate gene were successful produced and acclimated into the greenhouse. The preliminary bioassay against H. vastatrix was achieved. The setting-up of efficient protocols for cloning resistance genes and for genetic transformation paves the way for routine functional genomics in coffee. The better knowledge on CLR resistance gene diversity would allow optimization of breeding schemes for durable resistance to this major coffee disease.

Le but de ce travail était de mieux comprendre les mécanismes mis en jeu lors de la corrosion marine des structures en acier. Ces mécanismes impliquant l’influence de micro-organismes vivants, et notamment des bactéries sulfurogènes, l’étude a couplé des méthodes physico-chimiques à des techniques de microbiologie et de biologie moléculaire. Dans un premier temps, un système modèle de laboratoire a été élaboré afin d’étudier en détail les interactions entre les bactéries sulfato-réductrices (BSR) et le principal produit de la corrosion électrochimique des aciers en milieu marin, à savoir la rouille verte sulfatée RV(SO42-). Nous avons ainsi pu reproduire une partie des mécanismes mis en jeu, en montrant que les BSR pouvaient se développer en consommant les ions SO42- issus de la rouille verte et générer ainsi la mackinawite FeS observée sur sites. Dans un deuxième temps, l’évolution de la couche composite « rouille/biofilm » se formant sur acier en milieu marin a été suivie pour des temps courts d’immersion, allant de 1 semaine à deux mois. Le suivi simultané des données microbiologiques et physicochimiques a permis de montrer que l’influence des BSR ne se faisait pratiquement pas sentir à ce stade. Cependant, le développement préférentiel de bactéries associées au fer et au soufre au sein de la couche de rouille a pu être mis en évidence. Par ailleurs, très localement, le processus influencé par les BSR a été détecté. Enfin, une étude électrochimique en solutions désaérées simulant l’eau de mer a été confrontée aux résultats de l’analyse physico-chimique et microbiologique d’un coupon immergé 11 ans en milieu portuaire. L’ensemble des résultats montrent que RV(SO42-) se forme également lorsque des conditions anoxiques sont établies à la surface du métal. La formation de RV(SO42-) entre cependant en compétition avec celle de FeS et Fe3O4 suite aux modifications du milieu que peuvent engendrer les micro-organismes. A ces temps d’immersion long, l’influence des bactéries semblent néanmoins s’amoindrir, les micro-organismes tendant à s’éloigner des strates internes de la couche de rouille et donc du métal pour coloniser des zones externes plus riches en substances nutritives. / The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms involved in marine corrosion of steel structures. These mechanisms are known to be influenced by micro-organisms, in particular by the sulphide-producing bacteria. It was then necessary to couple physico-chemical investigations with techniques of microbiology and molecular biology. In the first part of this work, a laboratory model was designed so as to study the interactions between sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and the main product of the electrochemical corrosion process of iron in seawater, the sulphated green rust, GR(SO42-). We demonstrated that SRB could grow using only the SO42- ions coming from the green rust, thus generating mackinawite FeS as observed in real marine corrosion cases. In the second part, the evolution of the “rust/biofilm” layer that forms on steel in natural seawater was followed for short immersion times, from 1 week to 2 months. The simultaneous monitoring of microbiological and physico-chemical data showed that the influence of SRB was negligible at those early stages. However, the preferential growth of bacteria associated with iron and sulphur could be detected. Moreover, the process influenced by SRB could be detected locally in one case. Finally, in the third part of this work, an electrochemical study of carbon steel in deaerated seawater-like solutions was compared to the results of the physico-chemical and microbiological characterisation of a steel coupon left 11 years in a harbour site. All the results showed that GR(SO42-) was also forming when anoxic conditions were met at the steel surface. The formation of GR(SO42-) however competes with that of FeS and Fe3O4 due to the modifications of the environment induced by micro-organisms. For such long immersion periods, the influence of bacteria seems to decrease. The micro-organisms tend to move away from the inner parts of the rust layer, and then from the metal, to settle the outer parts where more nutrients are available.

Doctor of Philosophy / Genetics Interdepartmental Program - Plant Pathology / Bikram Gill / The diploid D genome species, Aegilops tauschii Coss. (2n=2x=14,DD) has provided numerous genes for resistance to diseases and insect pests that attack bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. (2n=6x=42, AABBDD). Wheat production is currently threatened by broadly virulent races of the ‘Ug99’ lineage of wheat stem rust caused by the fungus, Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici Pers. & Eriks. Screening of a large set of Ae. tauschii germplasm for resistance to TTKSK (Ug99) identified potentially novel sources of resistance. To expedite utilization of TTKSK resistance from Ae. tauschii, a direct hybridization approach was established that integrates gene transfer, mapping and introgression into one process. Direct crossing of Ae. tauschii accessions with an elite wheat breeding was used to initiate transfer of resistance. Genetic mapping of resistance was accomplished during gene transfer through development of BC[subscript]2 mapping populations. Bulked segregant analysis of BC[subscript]2F[subscript]1 genotypes at 70 SSR loci across the D genome identified the chromosome locations of stem rust resistance genes and facilitated genetic mapping. Using this approach, TTKSK resistance from CDL4424 and TA1662 was mapped on chromosome arm 1DS flanked distally by Xwmc432 and proximally by Xwmc222 at 4.4 cM, TA10187 on 6DS linked to Xcfd49 at 1.9 cM and TA10171 on 7DS linked Xwmc827 at 0.9 cM. TTKSK resistance from additional Ae. tauschii accessions CDL4366, TA1615, TA1642, TA1693 and TA1718 has been recovered in segregating populations but await mapping. Altogether, TTKSK resistance from eight Ae. tauschii accessions has been introgressed to a hard winter wheat genetic background. Three new stem resistance genes have been tagged with molecular markers for marker assisted breeding and will provide valuable material for stem rust resistance breeding and gene pyramids for effective control of stem rust.

Atualmente a ferrugem-asiática da soja é a doença mais importante da cultura e desde o seu surgimento vem causando diversos prejuízos. Devido a sua importância, faz-se necessário buscar alternativas que possam contribuir com o manejo tradicional com fungicidas. Neste sentido, surge a indução de resistência como uma alternativa para o seu controle. Dentre os indutores de resistência, as fitotoxinas apresentam potencial como ativadoras de plantas e neste caso, mais especificamente a taxtomina, produzida por Streptomyces scabies. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da fitotoxina taxtomina parcialmente purificada (TPP) e preparações de Streptomyces scabies como potenciais indutores de resistência em soja à Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Foram realizados ensaios para avaliar o efeito direto dos potenciais indutores deresistência a base de suspensão de células de Streptomyces scabies, filtrado de meio de cultivo de Streptomyces scabies, TPP e acibenzolar-S-metílico sobre a germinação de urediniósporos através do teste de microgotas em placas de Petri de poliestireno. Também foram realizados ensaios em folha destacada, onde fez-se a aplicação dos potenciais indutores e depois de determinado tempo fez-se a inoculação com P. pachyrhizi, sendo posteriormente avaliado o potencial dos compostos na redução da severidade. Ensaios em casa de vegetação foram conduzidos com plantas de soja que receberam a aplicação dos indutores e, posteriormente, foram inoculadas, onde avaliou-se a redução da severidade. Em casa de vegetação também foram conduzidos experimentos para a coleta de amostras para a realização de análises bioquímicas como peroxidase e fenóis, visando monitorar a atividade e o acúmulo de compostos relacionados a defesa de plantas a patógenos. Ensaio de campo foi realizado para verificar o potencial em reduzir a severidade da ferrugem da soja, onde foi avaliada a produtividade e a qualidade fisiológica das sementes produzidas. A expressão de genes relacionados as vias defesa como resposta a aplicação de taxtomina também foi monitorada. Como resultados, observou-se que a TPP tem efeito direto sobre urediniósporos de P. pachyrhizi, inibindo a germinação em 61%. A TPP reduziu a severidade da doença em folha destacada, mas não em plantas em condições de casa de vegetação. A TPP também aumentou a atividade de peroxidase e alterou o acúmulo de fenóis ligados. Em condições de campo, apenas o tratamento com fungicidas reduziu a severidade da doença. Nenhum dos tratamentos utilizados afetou a germinação e o vigor das sementes produzidas. A TPP foi capaz de alterar a expressão gênica e regular positivamente o gene ACC, envolvido na síntese do etileno. Conclui-se que a TPP apresenta, além de efeito direto sobre o patógeno, potencial para alterar compostos e a expressão de genes relacionados as vias de defesa das plantas. / Asian soybean rust is the most important disease of the crop today and since its inception has caused several damages. Due to its importance, it is necessary to look for alternatives that can contribute to the traditional management with fungicides. In this sense, induction of resistance appears as a promising alternative for the control of diseases. Among the resistance inducers, phytotoxins have the potential as plant activators and in this case, more specifically thaxtomin, produced by Streptomyces scabies. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of the partially purified phytotoxin thaxtomin (TPP) and preparation of Streptomyces scabies as potential inducers of resistance in soybean to Phakopsora pachyrhizi. For this, tests were carried out to evaluate the direct effect of potential resistance inducers on the germination of urediniospores through the test of microdrops on polystyrene Petri dishes. Detached leaf assay also carried out, where the potential inducers were applied and after a certain time the inoculation with P. pachyrhizi was done, being evaluated the potential of the compounds in reducing the severity. Greenhouse tests were also carried out with soybean plants that received the application of the inducers and later inoculated, where the reduction of severity was evaluated. Greenhouse experiments were also carried out for the collection of samples for biochemical analyzes such as peroxidase and phenolic compounds, aiming to monitor the activity and the accumulation of compounds related to plant defense to pathogens. In addition, preliminary field trials were carried out to verify the potential of the inducers in reducing the severity of soybean rust, where the productivity and physiological quality of the seeds were also evaluated. Expression of genes related to the defense pathways as a response to thaxtomin application was also monitored. As results, it was observed that the partially purified thaxtomin had a direct effect on P. pachyrhizi uredinospores, inhibiting germination by 61%. In addition, it was also able to reduce the severity in detached leaves but not in seedlings under greenhouse conditions. Partially purified thaxtomin was also able to increase peroxidase activity and alter the accumulation of bound phenols. At field conditions, only the treatment that used fungicides was able to reduce the severity of the disease. However, although only one of the treatments reduced the disease, none of the treatments used was able to affect the germination and vigor of the seeds produced. Finally, the partially purified thaxtomin was able to alter gene expression and positively regulate the ACC gene, that is involved in ethylene metabolism. In general, it is concluded that TPP has, in addition to a direct effect on the pathogen, potential to alter plant defense related compounds and the expression of genes related to defense pathways.

Austropuccinia psidii (sin Puccinia psidii) é um fungo biotrófico que infecta diversos gêneros de mirtáceas. É uma ferrugem (Puccinialles) nativa da América do Sul que apresenta ampla distribuição e rápida dispersão geográfica, alcançando atualmente a Austrália, centro de diversidade das mirtáceas. Este patógeno tem alarmado a comunidade científica devido à vasta capacidade de dispersão e por causar perdas econômicas consideráveis em culturas de interesse comercial, com destaque na eucaliptocultura. Apesar de sua importância, estudos relacionados ao patossistema A. psidii - Eucalyptus ainda são incipientes, sendo que o entendimento das bases moleculares envolvidas na interação planta-patógeno é essencial para adoção de medidas de controle eficazes e duradouras. Atualmente, a busca por candidatos a efetores tem crescido consideravelmente, pois são moléculas capazes de alterar a fisiologia do hospedeiro, suprimindo ou ativando os mecanismos de defesa. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar in silico genes candidatos a efetores e validá-los por meio de análise de expressão por RT-qPCR. Para predição dos genes candidatos a efetores foi utilizado o genoma parcial de A. psidii e uma pipeline específica, baseada em diversos parâmetros, tais como: presença do peptídeo sinal, ausência de domínio transmembrana e superfície de ancoragem e pequeno tamanho. Foram identificados 2.886 candidatos, dos quais 13% apresentaram similaridade com Puccinialles. As categorias mais importantes de localização subcelular preditas foram apoplasto (87,3%), cloroplasto (7%) e núcleo (4,1%). Oito candidatos foram selecionados para análise de expressão após mineração em dados de RNA-seq. Os ensaios foram realizados in vitro com uredósporos de duas populações distintas de A. psidii, uma proveniente de eucalipto (MF-1) e outra de S. jambos (GM-J1) e as amostras foram coletadas em 6, 12 e 24 horas após inoculação (h.a.i). O perfil de expressão dos candidatos variou entre os tempos investigados, sendo que dois candidatos mostraram altos valores de expressão em todos os tempos, ao passo que quatro foram mais expressos nos tempos iniciais (6 e 12 h.a.i). Os tempos iniciais correspondem às fases de germinação e pré-penetração, fortalecendo a predição desses quatro candidatos como apoplásticos. Foi observado um perfil diferencial de expressão entre as duas populações do patógeno, o que sugere uma provável modulação pelo hospedeiro de origem na expressão dos candidatos a efetores, fato ainda pouco abordado na literatura e que deve ser melhor investigado. Embora o trabalho tenha sido realizado in vitro, foi possível selecionar potenciais candidatos para continuidade dos estudos, incluindo a validação in planta e caracterização funcional. Os dados são relevantes em vista a escassez de informações biológicas desse patossistema e fornecem uma visão inicial de como esses efetores atuam na interação planta-patógeno. / Austropuccinia psidii (sin Puccinia psidii) is a biotrophic fungus that infects several genera of Myrtaceae. It is a rust (Puccinialles) native from South America that displays a broad distribution after have shown a quick geographic dispersion, being currently present even in Australia, which is Myrtaceae\'s diversity center. This pathogen has alarmed the scientific community due to its wide dispersion ability and because of considerable economic losses occurring in crops of commercial interest, especially eucalyptus cultures. Despite its importance, studies related to A. psidii-Eucalyptus pathosystem are still incipient and the understanding of the molecular basis involved in the plant-pathogen interaction is essential to develop effective and durable control mechanisms. Currently, the search for effector candidates has increased considerably since they are molecules that alter the host physiology, suppressing or activating the defense mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify in silico effectors candidate genes and also to validate them by expression analysis (RT-qPCR). To predict the effector candidate genes, we used the partial genome of A. psidii and a specific pipeline based on several parameters, such as small size, presence of signal peptide, absence of transmembrane domain and anchorage surface. A total of 2,886 candidates were identified, from which 13% are similar to Puccinialles. The most important categories of predicted subcellular localization were apoplast (87,3%), chloroplast (7%) e nucleus (4,1%). Eight candidates were selected for expression analysis after mining in RNA-seq data. The in vitro assays were carried out with uredospores from two distinct populations of A. psidii: one from eucalyptus (MF-1) and other from S. jambos (GM-J1); the samples were collected 6, 12 and 24 hours after inoculation (h.a.i). The expression profile of the candidates was distinct among the times investigated. The results showed that two candidates had high expression values in all times evaluated, while four were more expressed at 6 and 12 h.a.i. These times correspond to the germination and pre-penetration phases, corroborating with the prediction of these four candidates as apoplastics. A differential expression profile was found between the two pathogen populations, suggesting a probable modulation by the origin host in the expression of effectors candidates, what has not been extensively investigated and discussed in the literature on the topic. Although this study has been performed in vitro, it was possible to select potential candidates for further investigations, including in plant validation and functional characterization. The data presented here are relevant considering the scarcity of biological information about this pathosystem, besides providing an initial insight on how these effectors act in the plant-pathogen interaction.