SsPemG1 encodes an elicitor-homologous protein and regulates pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

• We discover SsPemG1, an elicitor-homologous protein in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
• SsPemG1 regulates the pathogenicity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to different hosts.
• We provide a new method to study elicitors or homologous protein of elicitors.

Elicitors are molecules that stimulate plant defense responses and are valuable in disease control strategies. Here, we report a gene named SsPemG1 encoding an elicitor-homologous protein. RNA silencing was used to identify the function of SsPemG1. SsPemG1 silencing induced strong virulence in both detached leaves and intact plants. A higher growth rate, reduced sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) susceptibility, more infection cushions and greater cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) activities all contributed to this virulence. These data will help us better understand the function of SsPemG1 in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, provide a new method to study elicitors and a theoretical foundation for disease control of this fungus.