The geographic distribution and complex evolutionary history of the NX-2 trichothecene chemotype from Fusarium graminearum.

Fusarium graminearum and 21 related species comprising the F. sambucinum species complex lineage 1 (FSAMSC-1) are the most important Fusarium Head Blight pathogens of cereal crops world-wide. FSAMSC-1 species typically produce type B trichothecenes. However, some F. graminearum strains were recently found to produce a novel type A trichothecene (NX-2) resulting from functional variation in the trichothecene biosynthetic enzyme Tri1. We used a PCR-RFLP assay targeting the TRI1 gene to identify the NX-2 allele among a global collection of 2515 F. graminearum. NX-2 isolates were only found in southern Canada and the northern U.S., where they were observed at low frequency (1.8%), but over a broader geographic range and set of cereal hosts than previously recognized. Phylogenetic analyses of TRI1 and adjacent genes produced gene trees that were incongruent with the history of species divergence within FSAMSC-1, indicating trans-species evolution of ancestral polymorphism. In addition, placement of NX-2 strains in the TRI1 gene tree was influenced by the accumulation of nonsynonymous substitutions associated with the evolution of the NX-2 chemotype, and a significant (P<0.001) change in selection pressure was observed along the NX-2 branch (ω=1.16) in comparison to other branches (ω=0.17) in the TRI1 phylogeny. Parameter estimates were consistent with positive selection for specific amino-acid changes during the evolution of NX-2, but direct tests of positive selection were not significant. Phylogenetic analyses of fourfold degenerate sites and intron sequences in TRI1 indicated the NX-2 chemotype had a single evolutionary origin and evolved recently from a type B ancestor. Our results indicate the NX-2 chemotype may be indigenous, and possibly endemic, to southern Canada and the northern U.S. In addition, we demonstrate that the evolution of TRI1 within FSAMSC-1 has been complex, with evidence of trans-species evolution and chemotype-specific shifts in selective constraint.

Diversity of Fusarium head blight populations and trichothecene toxin types reveals regional differences in pathogen composition and temporal dynamics.

Analyses of genetic diversity, trichothecene genotype composition, and population structure were conducted using 4086 Fusarium graminearum isolates collected from wheat in eight Canadian provinces over a three year period between 2005 and 2007. The results revealed substantial regional differences in Fusarium head blight pathogen composition and temporal population dynamics. The 3ADON trichothecene type consistently predominated in Maritime provinces (91%) over the sampled years, and increased significantly (P<0.05) between 2005 and 2007 in western Canada, accounting for 66% of the isolates in Manitoba by the end of the sampling period. In contrast, 3ADON frequency was lower (22%, P<0.001) in the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec and did not change significantly between 2005 and 2007, resulting in two distinct longitudinal clines in 3ADON frequency across Canada. Overall, genetic structure was correlated with toxin type, as the endemic population (NA1) was dominated by 15ADON isolates (86%), whereas a second population (NA2) consisted largely of 3ADON isolates (88%). However, the percentage of isolates with trichothecene genotypes that were not predictive of their genetic population assignment (recombinant genotypes) increased from 10% in 2005 to 17% in 2007, indicating that trichothecene type became an increasingly unreliable marker of population identity over time. In addition, there were substantial regional differences in the composition of recombinant genotypes. In western and maritime provinces, NA2 isolates with 15ADON genotypes were significantly more common than NA1 isolates with 3ADON genotypes (P<0.001), and the reverse was true in the eastern provinces of Québec and Ontario. Temporal trends in recombinant genotype composition also varied regionally, as the percentage of 15ADON isolates with NA2 genetic backgrounds increased approximately three fold in western and Maritime provinces, while the opposite trends were observed in Québec and Ontario. The results indicate that F. graminearum population dynamics in Canada have been influenced by a complex adaptive landscape comprising different regional selective pressures, and do not reflect a simple model of dispersal and integration following the introduction of a novel pathogen population. In addition, we identified F. graminearum strains that produce the recently discovered A-trichothecene mycotoxin (NX-2) for the first time in Canada, representing a significant expansion of the known range of NX-2 producing strains in North America.

An adaptive evolutionary shift in Fusarium head blight pathogen populations is driving the rapid spread of more toxigenic Fusarium graminearum in North America.

Analysis of Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen diversity revealed that 3ADON producing Fusarium graminearum are prevalent in North America and identified significant population structure associated with trichothecene chemotype differences (F(ST)>0.285; P<0.001). In addition, we identified a trichothecene chemotype cline in Canada and documented a recent and significant shift in FHB pathogen composition by demonstrating that the 3ADON chemotype frequency in western Canada increased more than 14-fold between 1998 and 2004. On average, isolates from 3ADON populations produced significantly (P<0.05) more trichothecene and had significantly (P<0.005) higher fecundity and growth rates than isolates from the 15ADON population. These results indicate that selection is driving the rapid spread of an introduced pathogen population that is more toxigenic and potentially more vigorous. The discovery of this previously unrecognized pathogen diversity has significant implications for food safety and cereal production in North America.

Genetic diversity and recombination within populations of Fusarium pseudograminearum from western Canada.

Genetic diversity within populations of Fusarium pseudograminearum isolated from wheat grains from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan was investigated. Three restriction enzymes (EcoRI, HaeIII, and PstI) were used to carry out restriction analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) intergenic spacer region (IGS region) and eight primers were used to generate inter-simple sequence-repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. Our study indicated substantially high genetic diversity within these two populations, but low genetic differentiation and frequent gene flow among populations. The IGS data showed no genetic distinction between the two Alberta populations and only minor genetic differentiation between the Saskatchewan and Alberta populations. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that most genetic variability resulted from differences among isolates within populations. Multilocus linkage disequilibrium analysis suggested a panmictic population genetic structure and the occurrence of significant recombination in F. pseudograminearum. Regular gene flow and random mating between isolates from different populations could result in novel genotypes with both improved pathological and biological traits.

A Simple Medium to Aid the Identification of Fusarium moniliforme , F. proliferatum , and F. subglutinans 1.

Growth of Fusarium moniliforme , F. proliferatum , and F. subglutinans on Czapek solution agar containing 20% saccharose resulted in both cultural differences and enhanced micromorphological features. F. moniliforme could be reliably distinguished from the other two species based on differences in colony color and texture. These differences were intensified by lowering the pH of the media from 7.7 to 4.4 without adversely affecting micromorphology.