Global surveillance provides a framework fro understanding diversity within the Fusarium graminearum species complex

WARD, T. J.; O´DONNEL, K.; SAMPIETRO, D.A.; BOUTIGNY, A.L.; VILJOEN, A.

Asilomar

Congreso; XXVI Fungal Genetics Conference; 2011

The Genetics Society of America

s of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) are responsible for diseases of a variety of cereal crops worldwide. These species also are a significant food-safety concern because they contaminate the grain with trichothecene mycotoxins that inhibit eukaryotic protein synthesis and can modulate immune function. In order to establish a global picture of FGSC diversity, a rencently developed multilocus genotyping assay was used to assess species and trichothecene chemotype diversity among a world-wide collection of more than 8,000 FGSC isolates. The results revealed: 1) substantial regional variation in species and trichothecene chemotype composition and diversity, 2) recent changes in diversity and composition due to transcontinental movement, and 3) evidence of species-specific differences in host preference. In addition, the global population structure of Fusarium graminearum was analyzed using variable number of tándem repeat markers. Significant population differentiation was observed within this mycotoxigenic cereal pathogen, and evidence of the recent transcontinental movement populations followed by limited genetic exchange between resident and introduced populations was uncovered.