Diversity in morphotypes and necrotrophic effectors (Nes) of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis strains in Latvia and Belarus

Abstract

AbstractPyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), family Pleosporaceae, is a common wheat pathogen in all wheat-growing regions around the globe. It is widely studied in North America, South America, and North Africa, while data about the fungus genetic diversity in Europe is still insufficient. This study aimed to describe the variation of morphological traits and toxin production of strains collected in Latvia and Belarus. Twenty-one isolates from Latvia, and 12 from Belarus were sampled in 2019 for morphological evaluation in culture and necrotrophic effector gene determination by PCR. All isolates were grouped into nine different morphotypes. Five of these morphotypes were unique for isolates from Latvia, one for Belarus, and three morphotypes were occurring in both countries. No association between the host and the pathogen morphotype was observed. ToxA gene was detected in 44% of the analysed isolates. For 52% of the isolates, PCR did not confirm the presence of any known effector genes of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. ToxB and toxb were found only in one isolate from Latvia. The studies need to be continued to evaluate the diversity of the pathogen depending on the host species.