Mating type genes and genetic markers to decipher intraspecific variability among Fusarium udum isolates from pigeonpea

Abstract

To ascertain the variability in Fusarium udum (Fu) isolates associated with pigeonpea wilt is a difficult task, if based solely on morphological and cultural characters. In this respect, the robustness of five different genetic marker viz., random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC), BOX elements, mating type locus, and microsatellite markers were employed to decipher intra-specific variability in Fu isolates. All techniques yielded intra-specific polymorphism, but different levels of discrimination were obtained. RAPD-PCR was more discriminatory, enabling the detection of thirteen variants among twenty Fu isolates. By microsatellite, ERIC- and BOX-PCR fingerprinting, the isolates were categorized in seven, five, and two clusters, respectively. Cluster analysis of the combined data also showed that the Fu isolates were grouped into ten clusters, sharing 50-100% similarity. The occurrence of both mating types in Fu isolates is reported for the first time in this study. All examined isolates harbored one of the two mating-type idiomorphs, but never both, which suggests a heterothallic mating system of sexual reproduction among them. Information obtained from comparing results of different molecular marker systems should be useful to organize the genetic variability and ideally, will improve disease management practices by identifying sources of inoculum and isolate characteristics.

Phylogeography and Population Structure Analysis Reveal Diversity by Gene Flow and Mutation in Ustilago segetum (Pers.) Roussel tritici Causing Loose Smut of Wheat

“…Traditionally, variations in fungal pathogens have been deciphered on the basis of morphology, cultural characters, physicochemical characters, virulence pattern, mating type, and disease reaction on differential hosts (Kaur et al, 2014; Kashyap et al, 2015; Yu et al, 2016). Unfortunately, these methods are time consuming, highly influenced by environment and thus are not very precise.…”

Identification, characterization and phylogenetic analysis of antifungal Trichoderma from tomato rhizosphere

“…This has already resulted in incorrect identification. In recent years, the usefulness of molecular markers such as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and repetitive-element polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR) in resolving species differences among microbial species are also well documented (Sharma et al 2009; Solanki et al 2013; Srivastava et al 2014; Singh et al 2014; Kashyap et al 2015). RAPD utilized PCR to amplify DNA segments with single primer of arbitrary nucleotide sequence generating fragments by hybridizing with compatible regions of DNA and amplifying the regions where the primers are in correct orientation and appropriately spaced (100–2500 bp).…”

First De Novo Draft Genome Sequence of the Pathogenic Fungus Fusarium udum F02845, Associated with Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millspaugh) Wilt

“…The disease has been reported from several countries, including India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Indonesia, Thailand, and Trinidad ( 1 ). The fungus causing wilt can survive on infected plant debris in soil for about 2 to 3 years, and it is responsible for causing 16 to 47% yield loss under favorable environmental conditions ( 2 ). At present, chemical and biological disease management strategies for containing this fungus are not very effective; therefore, genome sequencing can divulge virulence-related genes for better understanding of host-pathogen interactions.…”