Skip to search boxSkip to navigationSkip to main content

Magnaporthe oryzae populations adapted to finger millet and rice exhibit distinctive patterns of genetic diversity, sexuality and host interaction

  • J.P. Takan
    ,
  • J. Chipili
    ,
  • S. Muthumeenakshi
    ,
  • N.J. Talbot
    ,
  • E.O. Manyasa
    ,
  • R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Zambia
    ,
  • University of Warwick
    ,
  • International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan
    ,
  • AfricaRice
    ,
  • BRRI
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Abstract

In this study, host-specific forms of the blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) were characterised from distinct cropping locations using a combination of molecular and biological assays. Finger millet blast populations in East Africa revealed a continuous genetic variation pattern and lack of clonal lineages, with a wide range of haplotypes. M. oryzae populations lacked the grasshopper (grh) element (96%) and appeared distinct to those in Asia. An overall near equal distribution (47–53%) of the mating types MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, high fertility status (84–89%) and the dominance of hermaphrodites (64%) suggest a strong sexual reproductive potential. Differences in pathogen aggressiveness and lack of cultivar incompatibility suggest the importance of quantitative resistance. Rice blast populations in West Africa showed a typical lineage-based structure. Among the nine lineages identified, three comprised ~90% of the isolates. Skewed distribution of the mating types MAT1-1 (29%) and MAT1-2 (71%) was accompanied by low fertility. Clear differences in cultivar compatibility within and between lineages suggest R gene-mediated interactions. Distinctive patterns of genetic diversity, sexual reproductive potential and pathogenicity suggest adaptive divergence of host-specific forms of M. oryzae populations linked to crop domestication and agricultural intensification.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 145-158

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Molecular Biotechnology (Volume 50, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/02/2012

Publication status

Published - 01/02/2012

ISSN

1073-6085

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/236797
  • Scopus: 84856238548

Access to documents

Publication metrics