The d-galacturonic acid catabolic pathway in Botrytis cinerea

► Characterization of d-galacturonate catabolism in Botrytis cinerea is described. ► Targeted knockout of four genes yielded mutants unable to grow on pectic substrates. ► The first step of the pathway involves two non-homologous enzymes, BcGAR1 and BcGAR2. ► Virulence of mutants in the d-galacturonic acid catabolic pathway was unaltered.