Molecular Variation of the Phytopathogenic Fungus Sporisorium reilianum in Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo

Abstract

Head smut in maize (Zea mays) is a systemic disease caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Sporisorium reilianum. One of the most severely affected regions in Mexico is Valle del Mezquital in the state of Hidalgo, a high production zone with irrigated agriculture that produces over 50% of maize supplies in the state. This study was designed to analyze the genetic diversity of this phytopathogen isolated from different zones of Valle del Mezquital using the following molecular markers: ITS, aspartyl protease, β-tubulin, and the mitochondrial endonuclease LAGLIDADG. Our objective was to estimate the level of genetic variability in a regional space and understand the evolutionary processes to which non-model organisms are subjected. A total of 53 strains of S. reilianum were isolated from the sampling sites and then purified. A Bayesian Analysis of Population Structure (BAPS) analysis of the genetic structuring allowed us to recover three genetic groupings (K = 3), while molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed a very low fixation index (F ST = 0.0146), which was not statistically significant and indicated little between-group genetic differentiation. Also, the value determined for the coefficient of genetic differentiation (Gst) showed little variation among the genetic groups, while the gene flow number (Nm) was 8.25. The Tajima's D estimator and haplotype network recently indicated a rapid population expansion. Together, these results suggest that reproduction and migration are key factors in the evolution and virulence of this fungus.

Analysis of QTLs and Candidate Genes for Tassel Symptoms in Maize Infected with Sporisorium reilianum

“…The occurrence of the disease is closely related to plant genetics, such as asymptomatic, necrotic, and mosaic diseases that are caused by SMV infection of soybeans, which could be controlled by multiple alleles [27]. However, there is no physiological specialization of Sporisorium reilianum [28], and sequence analysis of the pathogen indicates that there is no significant difference between pathogens causing different diseases in maize [29]. This ensures that the tassels of inbred Sipingtou lines were stable after being inoculated with Sporisorium reilianum.…”

Genetic and Pathogenic Variability among Isolates of Sporisorium reilianum Causing Sorghum Head Smut

“…Population structure analysis of 53 S. reilianum f. sp. zeae isolates from Mexico identified three genetic groups with low variation among the groups [22]. Until recently, four pathotypes (1, 2, 3, and 4) of the sorghum head smut pathogen were established by Frederiksen et al [23] in the US based on their virulence patterns on four sorghum lines: Tx7078, SA281, Tx414, and TAM2571 (SC170-6-17).…”