Overexpression of three P450 genes is responsible for resistance to novel pyrimidine amines in Magnaporthe oryzae

Abstract Background A series of pyrimidine amine derivatives has been synthesized by modifying the pyrimidine ring group of diflumetorim—a mitochondrial complex I inhibiting fungicide. One derivative, code number SYP‐34773, is investigated in this study involving Magnaporthe oryzae , the causal agent of rice blast, which is the most devastating disease in rice. The response, resistance profile and mechanism of M. oryzae to SYP‐34773 were investigated, which provides or provide?? important data for the registration and rational use of pyrimidine amines. Results SYP‐34773 showed greater control efficacy than fungicide isoprothiolane in the field. The baseline sensitivity was established at a mean 50% effective concentration (EC 50 ) of 0.08 μg ml −1 . Four stable SYP‐34773‐resistant isolates with reduced sensitivity were generated from one (S118) of ten sensitive isolates with a resistance factor of EC 50 ranging from 7.00 to 15.00. Conidia production and pathogenicity were similar to that of S118, although there was a significant decrease in mycelial growth and conidial germination in resistant isolates. Positive cross‐resistance was observed between SYP‐34773 and diflumetorim; and the SYP‐34773‐resistant isolates were still sensitive to isoprothiolane, carbendazim, fluazinam, azoxystrobin, or prochloraz. RNA‐Seq analyses revealed three cytochrome P450 genes were upregulated in the resistant isolate under the treatment with SYP‐34773, as confirmed by quantitative real‐time PCR. The SYP‐34773 content was significantly reduced in the resistant isolate when compared with the parental isolate. Conclusion The study demonstrated that SYP‐34773 exhibits high activity against M. oryzae . Overexpression of three cytochrome P450 genes has an important role in the resistance of M. oryzae to novel pyrimidine amines. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry