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Title: DIVERSE TRAITS FOR PATHOGEN FITNESS IN GIBBERELLA ZEAE

Author
item Desjardins, Anne
item Plattner, Ronald

Submitted to: Canadian Phytopathological Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2002
Publication Date: 6/19/2002
Citation: Desjardins, A.E., Plattner, R.D. 2002. Diverse traits for pathogen fitness in gibberella zeae. Canadian Phytopathological Society Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gibberella zeae is an important pathogen of wheat, maize, and other grains worldwide. Pathogen fitness in G. zeae is the outcome of selection for traits that increase its ability to survive and reproduce in plant pathosystems. Current research on mechanisms of pathogen fitness uses tools such as production of specific mutations by targeted gene disruption and analysis of genetic variation in natural populations. Gene disruption experiments indicate that production of the trichothecene deoxynivalenol enhances virulence on wheat and maize, and that production of sexual spores enhances wheat head blight under field conditions. Natural populations from the U.S.A. and from Nepal differ significantly in virulence on wheat, in sexual fertility, and in trichothecene chemotype. Strains from both populations can produce deoxynivalenol, but only strains from Nepal can produce nivalenol, which has an additional hydroxyl group. Genetic analyses are underway to investigate associations of pathogen fitness of G. zeae with strain genotype, trichothecene chemotype, and other traits.