Whole-genome sequencing, trajectory tracking, and field investigation reveal origin and long-distance migration routes of wheat stripe rust in China

Authors: LI, YUXIANG - Northwest A&f University; DAI, JICHEN - Northwest A&f University; ZHANG, TAIXUE - Northwest A&f University; ZHANG, JIGUANG - Northwest A&f University; WANG, CONGHAO - Northwest A&f University; WANG, BAOTANG - Northwest A&f University; YAO, QIANG - Qinghai University; ZHANG, SIYUE - Northwest A&f University; LI, MINGJU - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; LIU, LIN - Yunnan Academy Of Agriculture Sciences; LI, CHENGYUN - Yunnan Agricultural University; JIANG, XUANLI - Guizhou University; Chen, Xianming; KANG, ZHENSHENG - Northwest A&f University; HU, XIAOPING - Northwest A&f University

Submitted to: Plant Communications
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2023
Publication Date: 4/1/2023
Citation: Li, Y., Dai, J., Zhang, T., Zhang, J., Wang, C., Wang, B., Yao, Q., Zhang, S., Li, M., Liu, L., Li, C., Jiang, X., Chen, X., Kang, Z., Hu, X. 2023. Whole-genome sequencing, trajectory tracking, and field investigation reveal origin and long-distance migration routes of wheat stripe rust in China. Plant Communications. 4. Article 100563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100563.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100563

Interpretive Summary: Understanding the origins and migration routes are essential in monitoring and formulating strategies in controlling important airborne crop diseases. The causal agent of wheat stripe rust is a typical airborne fungal pathogen threatening global wheat production by long-distance migration. Due to great variation in geographic features, climate characteristics, and cultural systems among wheat-growing areas, systematic interregional dispersal patterns of the pathogen in China remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 154 isolates of the stripe rust pathogen distributed from major wheat-growing regions in China to reveal the population genetic structure. Western Qinling Mountains, Himalayan region, and Guizhou Plateau were found to be centers of the stripe rust origin in China. Combined with trajectory tracking and field disease surveys, detailed long-distance migration routes stemming from each of the centers were uncovered. The findings in this study will gain a better understanding of the pathogen inoculum origin and migration in China and warrant the national management of wheat stripe rust.

Technical Abstract: Understanding the origins and migration routes are essential in monitoring and formulating strategies in controlling important airborne crop diseases. Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the causal agent of wheat stripe rust, is a typical airborne fungal pathogen threatening global wheat production by long-distance migration. Due to great variation in geographic features, climate characteristics, and cultural systems among wheat-growing areas, systematic interregional dispersal patterns of Pst in China remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 154 Pst isolates distributed from major wheat-growing regions in China to reveal the population genetic structure. Western Qinling Mountains, Himalayan region, and Guizhou Plateau were found to be centers of Pst origin in China. Combined with trajectory tracking and field disease surveys, detailed long-distance migration routes stemming from each of the centers were uncovered. The findings in this study will gain a better understanding of Pst inoculum origin and migration in China and warrant the national management of wheat stripe rust.