Dematophora necatrix: From taxonomy to molecular advances

Abstract

Dematophora necatrix Hartig is a destructive soil-borne fungus responsible for White Root Rot (WRR), affecting more than 350 plant species across 51 countries, including many economically important crops. The pathogen's persistence in soil and broad host range makes it especially challenging to control. Over the past decade, molecular studies have significantly advanced our understanding of the pathogen's biology and its interactions with host plants. These developments underscore the need for a comprehensive review to consolidate recent scientific progress. First, we outline the taxonomy, biology, disease symptoms, hosts and global distribution, and current management strategies of D. necatrix. We then focus on recent molecular advances, highlighting how genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics studies have improved our understanding of the pathogen's virulence and pathogenicity. A high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly has enabled more precise annotation and gene prediction. Transcriptomic analyses have identified candidate pathogenicity-related genes and putative effectors, while secretome proteomic studies suggest the production of antimicrobial proteins which may facilitate infection by suppressing microbial competitors. Secondary metabolites, such as cytochalasin E, have been implicated in virulence, although their precise roles in pathogenicity remain unresolved. Improved transformation protocols now permit targeted gene manipulation, creating new opportunities for functional studies. Lastly, this review highlights key knowledge gaps and calls for integrated multi-omics approaches to better understand D. necatrix pathogenicity and virulence, long-term survival, and environmental adaptation. Such insights are critical for the development of durable, targeted strategies to manage WRR.