Genomic Variability Among Moesziomyces penicillariae Populations in Senegal (West Africa)

Authors

1 Laboratoire de Biotechnologies des champignons (LBC), Département de Biologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar Sénégal

2 Département de Systématique et Evolution, USM0602, Herbier Plantes Non Vasculaires, 12, rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France.

3 Département de Biologie Végétale Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Dakar Sénégal

Abstract

The genomic diversity of sixty three isolates of Moesziomyces penicillariae, the causal agent of smut of
Pearl millet, was analysed using an ISSR (Inter Single Sequence Repeats) approach based on the
universal minisatellite probe M13 [GAGGGTGGCGGTTCT (Karlsson, 1994)]. According to the
electrophoretic patterns, the distance tree obtained indicates that the different genotypes from Senegal
are divided into 4 clades. This genetic differentiation is correlated to the geographical origin of the
isolates. Most of the isolates from the Northern areas formed a separate clade as well as those from the
south. The isolate from Gambia is closer to those of the Southern of Senegal whereas those of Burkina
formed an independent clade. The isolates from the Central and Eastern areas are distributed in two
clades. However, in these regions, a higher genetic mix appeared: the distribution of the genotypes is
not strictly correlated to their geographic origin. Our results point out that two major factors are
involved in the geographic distribution of the populations of M. penicillariae in Senegal. Firstly, the
genetic diversity is partly correlated to the climatic conditions in relationship to the Pearl millet
varieties used in the different areas. Secondly, isolates sharing genetic markers were collected along the
commercial ways, revealing that anthropochory has an important incidence in dispersal of the disease.
These results highlight that the incidence of the smut disease of Pearl millet in Senegal must be
controlled by using tolerant varieties adapted to the different climatic conditions and by the application
of sanitary rules limiting the dispersal of infected seeds.

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