Abstract
Gibberella zeae is an important pathogen of wheat, maize, and other cereal crops worldwide. Pathogen fitness in G. zeae is the outcome of selection for traits that increase its ability to survive and reproduce in plant pathosystems. Current research on mechanisms of pathogen fitness uses tools such as production of specific mutations by targeted gene disruption and analysis of genetic variation in natural populations. Gene disruption experiments indicate that production of the trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON) enhances virulence on wheat and maize, and that production of sexual spores enhances head blight on wheat under field conditions. Natural populations from the U.S.A. and from Nepal differ significantly in virulence on wheat, sexual fertility, and trichothecene chemotype. Strains from both populations can produce DON, but only strains from Nepal can also produce nivalenol, which differs from DON by the addition of a hydroxyl group. Genetic analyses are underway to investigate associations of pathogen fitness of G. zeae with strain genotype, trichothecene chemotype, and other traits.Key words: Fusarium graminearum, wheat, head blight, trichothecenes, mating-type genes, population genetics.
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