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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325313
Title: Molecular identification, genetic diversity, population genetics and genomics of Rhizoctonia solani. In:perspective of plant pathology in genomic era

Author
item Lakshman, Dilip
item JAMBHULKAR, PRESHANT - Maharana Pratap University Of Agriculture And Technology
item SINGH, VIMLA - Indian Council Of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
item SHARMA, PRATIBHA - Indian Agricultural Research Institute
item MITRA, AMITAVA - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Today and Tomorrow's Printers and Publications
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2016
Publication Date: 2/25/2016
Citation: Lakshman, D.K., Jambhulkar, P.P., Singh, V., Sharma, P., Mitra, A. 2016. Molecular identification, genetic diversity, population genetics and genomics of Rhizoctonia solani. In:perspective of plant pathology in genomic era. Indian Phytopathology. 110002.pp55.

Interpretive Summary: Rhizoctonia solani is an economically important group of soilborne pathogens of agronomic crops, vegetables, ornamentals, forest trees and turfgrasses. The pathogenic isolates may belong to multiple genera and species and are variously responsible for pre- or post-emergence damping off of seedlings, crown necrosis and root rots, aerial blights and wilts, fruit rots, and post-harvest losses, accounting for 5-10% loss in yield and product quality. Non-pathogenic isolates of R. solani contribute to soil ecology, and some are symbiotic on plants or serve as biocontrol agents. Isolates of R. solani are morphologically grouped based on the number of nuclei per cell and by hyphal anastomosis reactions, which are often unreliable methods. Recent approaches utilizing molecular markers, genome fingerprinting, and DNA sequencing have increased the speed, precision, and practicality of accurately identifying, grouping, and investigating the population genetics of R. solani isolates. Current genomic investigations have generated exciting possibilities to understand the dynamic biological and pathogenic processes of R. solani. This review addresses modern approaches and their potentials and limitations to identify and investigate this challenging group of plant pathogens.

Technical Abstract: The basidiomycetous soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia (sensu lato) is an economically important pathogen of worldwide distribution and it is known to attack at least 188 species of higher plants, including agronomic crops, vegetables, ornamentals, forest trees and turfgrasses. The pathogenic isolates may belong to multiple genera and species (i.e., Thanatephorus spp., Waitea spp., Ceratobasidium spp., etc.) and are variously responsible for pre- or post-emergence damping off of seedlings, crown necrosis and root rots, aerial blights and wilts, fruit rots and post-harvest losses, accounting for 5-10% loss in yield and product quality. Many non-pathogenic isolates of R. solani are decomposers of soil organic matter, contributors to soil ecology, symbiotic on plants, and may serve as biocontrol agents. Traditionally, isolates of R. solani are morphologically classified based on the number of nuclei per cell and by hyphal anastomosis grouping (AG), which are often unreliable methods for precise pathogen detection. Recent approaches utilizing genome fingerprinting with various molecular markers, and Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) sequencing have increased the speed, precision, and practicality of accurately identifying, grouping, and investigating population genetics R. solani pathogens. Current investigations of various R. solani AGs at the "omics" levels (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) have generated exciting possibilities for understanding the dynamic biological and pathogenic processes of R. solani. This review addresses the current advancements and trends in research on molecular identification, genetic diversity, population genetics and genomics of this group of pathogenic fungi.