Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
ISSN: 2161-0517
Daniel Shimelash, Temam Hussien, Chemeda Fininsa, Greg Forbes and Jonathan Yuen
Haramaya University, Ethiopia
International Potato Center, China
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Virol Mycol
Phytophthora infestans is a widespread and destructive pathogen on both potato and tomato. The objective of this study was to characterize and assess phylogenetic relationship of a group of isolates belonging to a previously unknown Phytophthora species recovered from potato leaves in Ethiopia. The characteristics of isolates were analyzed using mating type, SSR markers and mitochondrial DNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis tools were employed to examine the position of Ethiopian isolates with other populations previously described in different regions worldwide through analysis of mitochondrial sequence data. The morphological characteristics of all isolates were typical of P. infestans. All isolates were of A1 mating type. The multi locus genotype system based on 9 SSR markers showed identical DNA fragment lengths characteristic of a single multi locus genotype. However, sequencing revealed that the isolates belong to two distinct lineages. One lineage corresponds to P. infestans haplotype Ia previously reported in Ethiopia and other lineage is new reported for the first time here. In later case the Ethiopian isolates, formed a distinct branch in the same clade with P. infestans, P. mirabilis and P. phaseoli. The isolates resemble a new species P. andina originally discovered in Ecuador (over 99% similar). Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood supported the clustering of the same Ethiopian isolates with Ecuadorian isolates EC3421 and EC3425 from S. muricatum designated as P. andina. Unlike the P. andina lineages, the Ethiopian isolates appears to be primarily a pathogen of S. tubersome indicating a deviation in host status previously reported for Ecuador lineages. Further, the Ethiopian isolates exhibited the A1 compatibility type with P. infestans tester isolates; while molecular data presented here clearly distinguished them from P. infestans, these Ethiopian isolates that share this feature form important component of the late blight pathogen causing disease on cultivated potato. Thus the isolates could represent putative novel species reported for the first time here.
Email: dshamm@gmail.com