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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348194
Research Project: Integrated Disease Management of Exotic and Emerging Plant Diseases of Horticultural Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: Variation in genetic diversity of Phytophthora infestans populations in Mexico from the center of origin outwards

Author
item SHAKYA, S - Oregon State University
item Larsen, Meredith
item CONDOY CUENCA, M - University Of Chapingo
item LOZOYA-SALDANA, H - University Of Chapingo
item Grunwald, Niklaus - Nik

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/12/2018
Publication Date: 5/24/2018
Citation: Shakya, S.K., Larsen, M.M., Condoy Cuenca, M.M., Lozoya-Saldana, H., Grunwald, N.J. 2018. Variation in genetic diversity of Phytophthora infestans populations in Mexico from the center of origin outwards. Plant Disease. 102(8):1534-1540. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-17-1801-RE.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-17-1801-RE

Interpretive Summary: The Toluca valley located in central Mexico is thought to be the center of origin of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. We characterized over 500 individuals of this pathogen sampled from populations with a geographical distance of more than 400 km in six regions adjacent to the Toluca Valley in three states including Michoacán, Mexico, and Tlaxcala. We found that populations are genetically diverse and that there are subtle changes in diversity. This work provides a finer understanding of gradients of genetic diversity in populations of P. infestans at the center of origin.

Technical Abstract: The Toluca valley located in central Mexico is thought to be the center of origin of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. We characterized over 500 individuals of P. infestans sampled from populations with a geographical distance of more than 400 km in six regions adjacent to the Toluca Valley in three states including Michoacán, Mexico, and Tlaxcala. Our sampling occurred on a predominant East to West gradient and showed significant genetic differentiation. The most Western sampling location found in Michoacán was most differentiated from the other populations. Populations from San Gerónimo, Juchitepec, and Tlaxcala clustered together and appeared to be in linkage equilibrium. This work provides a finer understanding of gradients of genetic diversity in populations of P. infestans at the center of origin.