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Title: Microsatellites Reveal Genetic Diversity in Rotylenchulus reniformis Populations

Author
item Arias De Ares, Renee
item Stetina, Salliana - Sally
item Tonos, Jennifer
item Scheffler, Jodi
item Scheffler, Brian

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2009
Publication Date: 6/9/2009
Citation: Arias, R.S., Stetina, S.R., Tonos, J.L., Scheffler, J.A., Scheffler, B.E. 2009. Microsatellites Reveal Genetic Diversity in Rotylenchulus reniformis Populations. Journal of Nematology. 41(2): 146-156.

Interpretive Summary: The reniform nematode is a root parasite that affects important crops such as cotton, sweet potato and soybean. We have developed DNA molecular markers as identification tools for the plant pathogen reniform nematode. These markers can detect genetic variability within populations of this nematode. In order to develop cotton varieties with resistance to the nematode, is important to know the diversity of populations of the pathogen as an indicator of its possible adaptability to diverse conditions and possible changes in aggressiveness of those populations. The markers developed here can assist breeding programs for cotton, sweet potato and soybean that seek genetic resistance to the reniform nematode, or those programs looking for new production practices to control reniform nematode.

Technical Abstract: Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform nematode) causes serious damage to important crops such as cotton, sweet potato and soybean. We have developed approximately 160 simple-sequence-repeat (SSR) markers for the reniform nematode. The markers were tested on six isolates of this nematode, and large genetic variability was found across the isolates with more than 50% of the markers being polymorphic for these populations. Knowing the genetic variability of a pathogen is crucial for developing long-lasting resistant varieties of cotton. Until now, there were no tools to determine such variability on reniform nematode. The availability of these markers will allow breeders to identify which isolates to use in their plant breeding programs, and progress towards the identification of markers related to pathogenicity and their potential pesticide resistance.