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Molecular characterization of Fusarium subglutinans associated with mango malformation
E Steenkamp1, H Britz, T Coutinho
1Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Departments of Genetics, Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
Abstract:
Abstract Mango malformation is a serious disease of Mangifera indica in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This disease is caused by Fusarium subglutinans, which is also associated with diseases on many other hosts, such as pineapple, pine, maize and sugarcane. The F. subglutinans strains associated with different hosts are virtually indistinguishable using morphological characters, but can be easily differentiated using histone and beta-tubulin gene sequencing, and some have subsequently been assigned to distinct species. The aim of this study was to characterize F. subglutinans isolates associated with mango malformation using histone H3 gene sequencing and to compare them with other isolates in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex. Analysis of histone sequence data revealed the presence of two phylogenetically distinct groups of F. subglutinans isolates associated with mango malformation. We also considered the identity of the two groups of isolates associated with mango malformation and determined their relatedness to other Fusarium spp. For this purpose, portions of the beta-tubulin gene were sequenced and compared with the beta-tubulin sequences deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide database. This comparison to the NCBI database indicated that one group of F. subglutinans strains isolated from mango constitutes a unique lineage in the G. fujikuroi complex. Based on beta-tubulin and histone H3 sequencing, the second group of isolates is conspecific with the F. subglutinans strains previously reported to be the causal agent of mango malformation.
Insights
Mango malformation disease is caused by Fusarium subglutinans. Genetic analysis revealed two distinct Fusarium subglutinans groups associated with mango malformation, one forming a unique lineage.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mango malformation is a significant disease affecting Mangifera indica globally.
- Fusarium subglutinans causes mango malformation and affects other crops like pineapple and maize.
- Morphological identification of F. subglutinans strains is challenging, necessitating genetic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize Fusarium subglutinans isolates from mango malformation.
- To compare these isolates with others within the Gibberella fujikuroi complex.
- To determine the phylogenetic relationships of F. subglutinans strains causing mango malformation.
Main Methods:
- Histone H3 gene sequencing was used to analyze F. subglutinans isolates.
- Beta-tubulin gene sequencing was performed for phylogenetic comparison.
- Sequences were compared against the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide database.
Main Results:
- Two distinct phylogenetic groups of F. subglutinans were identified among mango malformation isolates.
- One group represents a unique lineage within the Gibberella fujikuroi complex.
- The second group confirmed conspecificity with previously identified causal agents of mango malformation.
Conclusions:
- Genetic sequencing, specifically histone H3 and beta-tubulin genes, effectively differentiates Fusarium subglutinans strains.
- Mango malformation is associated with at least two distinct Fusarium lineages.
- Further molecular studies are crucial for understanding Fusarium species complexes and host associations.
