Abstract
Population level diversity at the Ustilago maydis b mating type locus was determined in samples from four Minnesota locations using a combination of plate mating techniques and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. The PCR method allows rapid identification of b types from samples of natural populations and utilizes the hypervariable regions of the b locus that determine mating type specificity. Results demonstrated high levels of b diversity within populations, with one population yielding 17 of the total 18 b types found in the study. Pairwise G(ST) values were in the range of 0.02 to 0.05, and common b mating types were found across broad geographic distances. These data demonstrated that very low levels of differentiation among U. maydis populations occur with respect to b locus variation. Consistent with frequency-dependent selection models, b types were represented at approximately equal frequencies within the entire Minnesota population. However, neutral evolutionary models for patterns of geographic distribution and variation at b cannot be entirely excluded. The importance to agricultural practices of understanding population genetic processes is discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1233-1239 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Phytopathology |
Volume | 87 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1997 |
Keywords
- Barcode
- Basidiomycete
- Corn smut
- DNA fingerprint
- Mating system