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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Genomics and Bioinformatics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #267164
Title: Development and characterization of microsatellites for switchgrass rust fungus (Puccinia emaculata)

Author
item WADL, PHILLIP - University Of Tennessee
item DEAN, DEBORAH - University Of Tennessee
item LI, YONGHAO - Agricultural Experiment Station, Connecticut
item VITO, LISA - University Of Tennessee
item Scheffler, Brian
item HADZIABDIC, DENITA - University Of Tennessee
item WINDHAM, MARK - University Of Tennessee
item TRIGIANO, ROBERT - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: Conservation Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2010
Publication Date: 1/1/2011
Citation: Wadl, P.A., Dean, D., Li, Y., Vito, L.M., Scheffler, B.E., Hadziabdic, D., Windham, M.T., Trigiano, R.N. 2011. Development and characterization of microsatellites for switchgrass rust fungus (Puccinia emaculata). Conservation Genetics. 3:185–188.

Interpretive Summary: Swithgrass is potentially a major resource for the production of biofuels. However, having healthy plants is critical for optimal production biomass production. Puccinia emaculata is a fungal species that causes rust disease in switchgrass. Knowing more about this pathogen is critical for its control in swichgrass production fields. The study revolved around the development and characterization of DNA markers for Puccinia emaculata. These DNA markers can now be used genetic diversity studies and epidemiological studies.

Technical Abstract: Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci from the fungus Puccinia emaculata, responsible for rust disease of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) were developed. Loci were characterized using 20 single-pustule derived isolates of P. emaculata collected from switchgrass plants growing in the southeastern US. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 5. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.89 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.21 to 0.77. These microsatellite loci provide a sufficient set of markers to perform genetic diversity and epidemiological studies of P. emaculata.