Population Structure of Fusarium graminearum from Maize and Rice in 2009 in Korea

Abstract

We performed diagnostic PCR assays and a phylogenetic analysis using partial sequences of TEF1 (translation elongation factor-1) to determine the trichothecene chemotypes and genetic diversity of F. graminearum isolates from maize and rice samples collected in 2009 in Korea. PCR using a species-specific primer set revealed a total of 324 isolates belonging to the putative F. graminearum species complex. PCR with trichothecene chemotypespecific primers revealed that the nivalenol (NIV) chemotype was predominant among the fungal isolates from rice (95%) in all provinces examined. In contrast, the predominant chemotype among the corn isolates varied according to region. The deoxynivalenol (DON) chemotype was found more frequently (66%) than the NIV chemotype in Gangwon Province, whereas the NIV chemotype (70%) was predominant in Chungbuk Province. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all DON isolates examined were clustered into lineage 7, while the NIV isolates resided within lineage 6 (F. asiaticum). Compared with previous studies, the lineage 6 isolates in rice have been predominantly maintained in southern provinces, while the dominance of lineage 7 in maize has been evident in Gangwon at a slightly reduced level.