Impacts of Continued Exposure to a Susceptible Host Genotype on Aggressiveness of Phytophthora nicotianae Isolates Adapted to Multiple Sources of Partial Resistance

Abstract

Pathogen adaptation can threaten the durability of partial resistance. Mixed plantings of susceptible and partially resistant varieties may prolong the effectiveness of partial resistance, but little is known about how continued exposure to a susceptible genotype can change the aggressiveness of pathogen isolates adapted to a source of partial resistance. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of continued exposure to a highly susceptible tobacco genotype on isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae that had been adapted to partial resistance. Isolates of P. nicotianae previously adapted to two sources of partial resistance were continually exposed to either the original host of adaptation or a susceptible host. After six generations of host exposure, isolates obtained from the partially resistant and the susceptible hosts were compared for their aggressiveness on the resistant host and for differences in expression of genes associated with pathogenicity and aggressiveness. Results suggested that exposure to the susceptible tobacco genotype reduced aggressiveness of isolates adapted to partial resistance in K 326 Wz/– but not of isolates adapted to partial resistance in Fla 301. Quantification of pathogenicity-associated gene expression using qRT-PCR suggested the rapid change in aggressiveness of isolates adapted to Wz-sourced partial resistance may have resulted from modification in gene expression in multiple genes.