Use of AFLP markers to estimate molecular diversity of Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Author
Lourdes Rocha,Carla Maria
Vellicce,Gabriel Ricardo
García,María Gabriela
Pardo,Esteban Mariano
Racedo,Josefina
Perera,María Francisca
de Lucía,Adrian
Gilli,Javier
Bogado,Noelia
Bonnecarrère,Victoria
German,Silvia
Marcelino,Francismar
Ledesma,Fernando
Reznikov,Sebastián
Ploper,Leonardo Daniel
Welin,Bjorn
Castagnaro,Atilio Pedro
Abstract
Background Asian soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & Syd., is one of the main diseases affecting soybean and has been reported as one of the most economically important fungal pathogens worldwide. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of this fungus should be considered when developing resistance breeding strategies. We aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of P. pachyrhizi combining simple sampling with a powerful and reproducible molecular technique. Results We employed Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique for the amplification of P. pachyrhizi DNA extracted from naturally SBR-infected plants from 23 production fields. From a total of 1919 markers obtained, 77% were polymorphic. The high percentage of polymorphism and the Nei's genetic diversity coefficient (0.22) indicated high pathogen diversity. Analysis of molecular variance showed higher genetic variation within countries than among them. Temporal analysis showed a higher genetic variation within a year than between years. Cluster, phylogenetic and principal co-ordinate analysis showed that samples group by year of collection and then by country sampled. Conclusions The study proposed combining a simple collection of urediniospore with a subsequent analysis by AFLP was useful to examine the molecular polymorphism of samples of P. pachyrhizi collected and might have a significant contribution to the knowledge of its genetic diversity. Also, AFLP analysis is an important and potent molecular tool for the study of genetic diversity and could be useful to carry out wider genetic diversity studies.