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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #349369
Research Project: Sustainable Approaches for Pest Management in Vegetable Crops

Location: Vegetable Research

Title: Development of genomic resources for the powdery mildew, Erysiphe pulchra

Author
item Wadl, Phillip
item Mack, Brian
item Beltz, Shannon
item Moore, Geromy
item BAIRD, RICHARD - Mississippi State University
item Rinehart, Timothy - Tim
item MOLNER, THOMAS - Rutgers University
item STATON, MARGARET - University Of Tennessee
item HADZIABDIC, DENITA - University Of Tennessee
item TRIGIANO, ROBERT - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2018
Publication Date: 10/2/2018
Citation: Wadl, P.A., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B., Moore, G.G., Baird, R.E., Rinehart, T.A., Molnar, T.J., Staton, M.E., Hadziabdic, D., Trigiano, R.N. 2019. Development of genomic resources for the powdery mildew, Erysiphe pulchra. Plant Disease. 103:804-807. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0719-A.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0719-A

Interpretive Summary: Powdery mildews (PMs) are widespread plant pathogenic fungi affecting over 10,000 flowering plants including many economically important crop plants. To date, only four PM species have been whole genome (DNA) sequenced. Currently, genomic and genetic resources available to understand or combat the damage caused by PMs are lacking. Therefore, whole genome sequencing of a specific PM, Erysiphe pulchra, was undertaken by USDA scientists in the Southeast and other scientists at Mississippi State, Rutgers, and the University of Tennessee to develop a draft genome that can be used for host/pathogen studies and for developing DNA markers for population studies. The assembled genome size was similar to grape PM and contained an estimated 6,860 genes. The genome analysis and gene annotation will provide a valuable resource for understanding molecular interactions within this pathogen. Availability of a reference genome will be helpful for identification of genes involved in host infection and for population genetics studies of this pathogen.

Technical Abstract: Erysiphe pulchra is a biotrophic ascomycete responsible for powdery mildew affecting large bracted dogwoods (Cornus spp.). We report the first draft genome of E. pulchra. This will facilitate understanding of plant-pathogen interactions in ascomycetes, especially evolutionary strategies that led to host expansion and environmental adaptations effectively employed by powdery mildews.