Open AccessPopulation structures of the water-borne plant pathogen Phytopythium helicoides reveal its possible origins and transmission modes in Japan
Author(s) -
Auliana Afandi,
Emi Murayama,
Yin-Ling,
Ayaka Hieno,
Haruhisa Suga,
Koji Kageyama
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0209667
Subject(s) - biology , analysis of molecular variance , transmission (telecommunications) , phylogenetic tree , genetic diversity , pathogen , host (biology) , genotype , population genetics , population , genetic structure , microsatellite , genetic variation , ecology , allele , evolutionary biology , genetics , demography , gene , engineering , sociology , electrical engineering
The purpose of this study was to clarify the genetic diversity of Phytopythium helicoides and to understand the transmission mode of the pathogen in Japan. In total, 232 P . helicoides isolates were collected from various host plants and geographic origins, including farms and natural environments. We developed 6 novel microsatellite markers for use in the study and found 90 alleles among the 6 markers in the 232 isolates. The analysis of molecular variance suggested that P . helicoides has high variance within individuals and low fixation indices between populations. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolates collected from the same hosts and/or geographic origins were often grouped together. For example, several isolates from natural environments were grouped with isolates from nearby agricultural areas. On the other hand, 2 geographically distant populations collected from the same host plant had similar genotypes. Our results suggested that migration of the pathogen could be facilitated naturally via drainage systems or by human activity in the transport of agricultural materials.