Abstract Detail

Genetics/Molecular Biology

Miller, Megan E. [1], Burchhardt, Kathleen M. [1], Cubeta, Marc A. [1].

Genetic diversity of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi sampled from apothecia and infected blueberry fruit.

The fungus Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Mvc) causes disease of blueberry flowers, fruits and shoots. Recent population genetics studies conducted in our laboratory have provided evidence for random mating and possible inbreeding and/or self-fertilization in field populations of Mvc sampled in the continental US. To better understand how the reproductive biology of Mvc contributes to the genetic diversity of field populations, Mvc was sampled from individual locules of infected blueberry fruits and apothecia produced on overwintering pseudosclerotia. Genomic DNA was extracted from pure cultures of the fungus and amplified with PCR using eight Mvc specific microsatellite primers. Amplified PCR products were analyzed to determine the number of alleles per locus and identify multilocus haplotypes (MLHs).  Three to seven alleles were found among the eight loci examined and 26 MLHs were identified from 66 isolates of Mvc sampled from individual locules of 24 blueberries. At least two genetically unique MLHs of Mvc were detected within seven individual infected blueberry fruits arbitrarily sampled from eight blueberry bushes. Fifty-four MLHs were identified from 125 single ascospore isolates of Mvc sampled from 12 apothecia. Single ascospore isolates analyzed from seven apothecia had identical MLHs, while at least two genetically distinct MLHs were detected from analyzing isolates from five apothecia. Tests for linkage disequilibrium suggested that genetically diverse ascospore progeny were the product of sexual recombination. Our study is the first to suggest both outcrossing and self-fertilizing capabilities in Mvc and the presence of genetic diversity within apothecia and individual infected fruit.

1 - North Carolina State University, Plant Pathology, Center For Integrated Fungal Research, 851 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA

Keywords:
Mummy berry
Population genetics
Reproductive biology.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Paper
Session: 12
Location: Room 104 AB/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 11:30 AM
Number: 12005
Abstract ID:225
Candidate for Awards:None