Population Genomics Provide Insights into the Global Genetic Structure of Colletotrichum graminicola, the Causal Agent of Maize Anthracnose

Flávia Rogério, Riccardo Baroncelli, Francisco Borja Cuevas-Fernández, Sioly Becerra, Jo Anne Crouch, Wagner Bettiol, M. Andrea Azcárate-Peril, Martha Malapi-Wight, Veronique Ortega, Javier Betran, Albert Tenuta, José S. Dambolena, Paul D. Esker, Pedro Revilla, Tamra A. Jackson-Ziems, Jürg Hiltbrunner, Gary Munkvold, Ivica Buhiniček, José L. Vicente-Villardón, Serenella A. SuknoMichael R. Thon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding the genetic diversity and mechanisms underlying genetic variation in pathogen populations is crucial to the development of effective control strategies. We investigated the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of Colletotrichum graminicola isolates which infect maize by sequencing the genomes of 108 isolates collected from 14 countries using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) and wholegenome sequencing (WGS). Clustering analyses based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms revealed three genetic groups delimited by continental origin, compatible with short-dispersal of the pathogen and geographic subdivision. Intra- and intercontinental migration was observed between Europe and South America, likely associated with the movement of contaminated germplasm. Low clonality, evidence of genetic recombination, and high phenotypic diversity were detected. We show evidence that, although it is rare (possibly due to losses of sexual reproduction- and meiosis-associated genes) C. graminicola can undergo sexual recombination. Our results support the hypotheses that intra- and intercontinental pathogen migration and genetic recombination have great impacts on the C. graminicola population structure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalmBio
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology
  • Virology

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