Studies on thiabendazole resistance of Penicillium expansum of pears: pathogenic fitness and genetic characterization

Isolates of Penicillium expansum recovered from stored pears were scored for resistance to the fungicide thiabendazole (TBZ) and for pathogenic fitness. Out of 50 isolates, nine were sensitive (S) and 41 resistant (R or RR). Seven of these resistant isolates (RR) germinated with a higher percentage on TBZ‐amended medium than on unamended medium. Six S isolates and six RR isolates were chosen at random for further analysis. S and RR isolates had similar in vitro growth fitness, although RR isolates were characterized by higher infection severity on fruits. Laboratory‐induced resistant isolates were generated by UV‐irradiating S strains, and a similar correlation between the induced TBZ resistance and pathogenic fitness was observed. The β‐tubulin gene of RR and S isolates was amplified and sequenced; mutations correlating with TBZ resistance were identified at residues Phe 167 and Glu 198. Analogous mutations were detected in the laboratory‐induced resistant isolates.