Specificity of SSR loci for Melampsora species on poplars

Abstract

Two rust fungi, Melampsora larici populina and Melampsora medusae are common in all poplar growing regions worlwide. M. larici populina is native to Eurasia, while M. medusae is endemic to eastern Unated States on Populus deltoides. Poplar leaf rust (Melampsora sp.) is widely spread disease in our country, and can cause significant growing problems. Race that prevails in our growing region is M. Larici populina. This work initiated the research of population composition, i.e. qualitative participation of Melampsora races in popoluation of black poplars hybrid progenies using molecular methods. When five SSR markers were used the results showed that M. larici populina was found in three tested clones, while only M. medusae was determined in clone I-214

Fungal Genomic Resources for Strain Identification and Diversity Analysis of 1900 Fungal Species

“…For example, SSR based differentiation of Periconia epilithographicola and Coniochaeta cipronana fungi having higher cellulolytic activity for biodegradation ability which is difficult to differentiate using ITS and housekeeping genes signature [ 41 ]. In plant fungal pathogen diagnostics where species specific “private alleles” of SSR loci are present has been very effective, for example Plasmopara viticola in powdery mildew disease in grape [ 42 ], Macrophomina phaseolina causing charcoal root rot in cotton and soybean [ 43 ], poplar rust fungi ( Melampsoma medusa and M. larici-populina ) [ 13 , 14 ]. A combination of public and private allelic richness can make this approach further robust for differentiation of such fungal species, for example differentiation of citrus pathogenic fungal species, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [ 44 ].…”

“…Fungal SSR profile has been found capable to be used as DNA signature for species, sub-species, strains, and sub-strains/isolate, such as strain differentiation between harmful and beneficial Aspergilli [ 12 ]. Allele specific fungal species identification is also reported, for example, poplar rust fungal species differentiation, Melampsoma medusa and M. larici-populina [ 13 , 14 ]. This demonstrates that single or multi locus genotyping of SSR loci can be used to obtain species, subspecies, or strain specific DNA signature [ 15 ].…”

The First Record of a North American Poplar Leaf Rust Fungus, Melampsora medusae, in China

“…Poplar leaf rust is caused by many species of Melampsora, each of which tends to be host-specific within the genus Populus. Leaf rust can be very damaging to black and balsam poplar species in sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca, respectively [1][2][3][4]. Melampsora species have native ranges, but many have been inadvertently introduced to other parts of the world [5] since the genus was first described in 1843 [6].…”

“…Introductions accompanying the spread of hybrid poplar culture also have provided opportunities for previously isolated species of Melampsora to hybridize [7][8][9]; M. medusae has hybridized with both M. larici-populina [9] and with M. occidentalis [8]. Melampsora medusae is indigenous to Eastern North America in the native range of Populus deltoides [10], but it has also been introduced to Russia [11], Argentina [12], Australia [4], South Africa [4], France [13], India [7], Japan [14], Spain [15], and Portugal [16,17].…”

“…In addition to the 15, some other samples were identified on the basis of morphology alone. introduced to Russia [11], Argentina [12], Australia [4], South Africa [4], France [13], India [7], Japan [14], Spain [15], and Portugal [16,17]. Like all rust fungi, Melampsora medusae is an obligate biotrophic plant parasite.…”