Fusarium asiaticum is the predominant causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in southern China. The genetic diversity was assessed by analyzing 448 single-spore F. asiaticum isolates from 18 sampling sites that were 10 to 2,000 km apart, using seven highly informative variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) markers. This analysis showed a significant degree of population subdivision (P < 0.001) among populations from upper, middle, and lower valleys of the Yangtze River, with little gene flow (Nm = 1.210). We observed a strong association between this genetic population subdivision and the mycotoxin produced. Our results show that the dramatic cline in trichothecene chemotypes may be explained by a recent and significant invasion of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON) producers in FHB pathogen composition in the middle valley. Using Bayesian statistics, we found a biased gene flow from 3ADON to nivalenol (NIV) populations. In addition, we observed significant genetic differentiation and linkage disequilibrium between NIV- and 3ADON-producing isolates at the same sampling sites. The impact of the changed agronomy and trade of cereal commodities on the spread of the new Fusarium population and the consequent increase of FHB observed in southern China are discussed.

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is an important disease of crucifers worldwide. Isolates of the pathogen can be classified into pathotypes according to their pathogenicity on differential hosts. In this study, the presence or absence of all database-available nonhousekeeping P. brassicae genes (118 in total) were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in isolates belonging to five P. brassicae pathotypes (2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 according to Williams' differential set). One gene, designated Cr811, was present exclusively in the isolate of pathotype 5. This was further confirmed by dot blot hybridization and by PCR using alternative DNA preparations and primers. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis indicated that in planta expression of Cr811 was up-regulated during canola infection, especially in the stage of secondary plasmodia. Primers specific to Cr811 could distinguish a field isolate of P. brassicae belonging to pathotype 5 from two other field isolates representing pathotypes 3 and 8. These findings suggest that Cr811 is a gene that is potentially involved in clubroot pathogenesis and that it also might serve as a molecular marker for differentiation of pathotype 5 from other pathotypes.

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