title: Molecular Diversity of Anthracnose Pathogen Populations Associated with UK Strawberry Production Suggests Multiple Introductions of Three Different Colletotrichum Species.
abstract: Fragaria × ananassa (common name: strawberry) is a globally cultivated hybrid species belonging to Rosaceae family. Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato (s.l.) is considered to be the second most economically important pathogen worldwide affecting strawberries. A collection of 148 Colletotrichum spp. isolates including 67 C. acutatum s.l. isolates associated with the phytosanitary history of UK strawberry production were used to characterize multi-locus genetic variation of this pathogen in the UK, relative to additional reference isolates that represent a worldwide sampling of the diversity of the fungus. The evidence indicates that three different species C. nymphaeae, C. godetiae and C. fioriniae are associated with strawberry production in the UK, which correspond to previously designated genetic groups A2, A4 and A3, respectively. Among these species, 12 distinct haplotypes were identified suggesting multiple introductions into the country. A subset of isolates was also used to compare aggressiveness in causing disease on strawberry plants and fruits. Isolates belonging to C. nymphaeae, C. godetiae and C. fioriniae representative of the UK anthracnose pathogen populations showed variation in their aggressiveness. Among the three species, C. nymphaeae and C. fioriniae appeared to be more aggressive compared to C. godetiae. This study highlights the genetic and pathogenic heterogeneity of the C. acutatum s.l. populations introduced into the UK linked to strawberry production.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Warwick Crop Centre, University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, United Kingdom; Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baroncelli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zapparata
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarrocco
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Serenella A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sukno
authors.affiliation: The Food and Environment Research Agency, York, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Instituto Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Thon
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-ambientali, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vannacci
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Warwick Crop Centre, University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holub
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Surapareddy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sreenivasaprasad
mesh_terms: D020231:Colletotrichum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D031985:Fragaria / Q000382:microbiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal