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Published on: March 29, 2012
Genetic variability of grey snow mould (Typhula incarnata)
Georgina V Vergara1, Suleiman S Bughrara, Geunhwa Jung
1Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, Room 286 Plant and Soil Science Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Abstract:
Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of isolates of grey snow mould ('gray snow mold'), Typhula incarnata, taken from infected turfgrasses from 40 different locations in the northern USA. Data from 115 markers using 37 RAPD primers showed 48 % polymorphism. The distance coefficients between isolates indicate the wide genetic diversity of T. incarnata across the sample area. Dendrograms generated using neighbour-joining (NJ) bootstrap analyses showed three clades and suggest possible recent colonization from common founder groups. Partitioning of the genetic variance using analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of four groups based on geographic locations (Michigan, lower and upper peninsula; Minnesota; Wisconsin) showed that genetic variation attributable among groups and within groups was 12.67 and 87.33 %, respectively. No correlation was found between geographic distance and pairwise genetic distance of the groups. High outcrossing and sexual recombination of T. incarnata may well be key factors explaining the genetic variability as shown with the low Fixation index (FST) and high average of genetic diversity per locus within groups.
Insights
Genetic diversity in grey snow mould (Typhula incarnata) is high across the northern USA. This suggests recent colonization from common founders, with sexual reproduction driving variability.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Grey snow mould, caused by Typhula incarnata, is a significant turfgrass disease.
- Understanding the genetic diversity of T. incarnata is crucial for disease management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the genetic diversity of Typhula incarnata isolates from infected turfgrass in the northern USA.
- To investigate the population structure and genetic variation within T. incarnata.
Main Methods:
- Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were employed.
- 115 markers from 37 RAPD primers were analyzed.
- Neighbour-joining (NJ) bootstrap analyses and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) were conducted.
Main Results:
- 48% polymorphism was observed across the analyzed markers.
- Genetic distance coefficients indicated wide genetic diversity of T. incarnata.
- AMOVA revealed that most genetic variation (87.33%) was within geographic groups, not among them.
Conclusions:
- The genetic structure suggests recent colonization from common founder groups.
- High outcrossing and sexual recombination are likely key factors for the observed genetic variability.
- Geographic distance did not correlate with pairwise genetic distance, indicating widespread gene flow.
