title: Assessment of the Virulence Spectrum and Its Association with Genetic Diversity in Magnaporthe oryzae Populations from Sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: A collection of 122 isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae, from nine sub-Saharan African countries, was assessed for virulence diversity and genetic relatedness. The virulence spectrum was assessed by pathotype analysis with a panel of 43 rice genotypes consisting of differential lines carrying 24 blast resistance genes (R-genes), contemporary African rice cultivars, and susceptible checks. The virulence spectrum among isolates ranged from 5 to 80%. Five isolates were avirulent to the entire rice panel, while two isolates were virulent to ∼75% of the panel. Overall, cultivar 75-1-127, the Pi9 R-gene donor, was resistant to all isolates (100%), followed by four African rice cultivars (AR105, NERICA 15, 96%; NERICA 4, 91%; and F6-36, 90%). Genetic relatedness of isolates was assessed by single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from genotyping-by-sequencing and by vegetative compatibility tests. Phylogenetic analysis of SNPs of a subset of isolates (n = 78) revealed seven distinct clades that differed in virulence. Principal component analysis showed isolates from East Africa were genetically distinct from those from West Africa. Vegetative compatibility tests of a subset of isolates (n = 65) showed no common groups among countries. This study shows that blast disease could be controlled by pyramiding of Pi9 together with other promising R-genes into rice cultivars that are adapted to East and West African regions.
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: S K
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9919-6231
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mutiga
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rotich
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: V Devi
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Ganeshan
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Mwongera
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mgonja
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Were
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wasilwa
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ouédraogo
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: G-L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Talbot
authors.affiliation: First, second, tenth, and fifteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville; first and seventh: Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya; third, fifth, twelfth, and thirteenth authors: Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University-Columbus; fourth, sixth, and fourteenth authors: Biosciences department, Exeter University, UK; seventh author: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; eighth author: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines; ninth author: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Nairobi, Kenya; and eleventh author: Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Correll
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D014644:Genetic Variation; D020082:Magnaporthe / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
keywords: resistance breeding; rice blast; virulence spectrum