Abstract
Background Claviceps purpurea is a pathogen that infects most members of Pooideae, a subfamily of Poaceae, and causes ergot, a floral disease in which the ovary is replaced with a sclerotium. When the ergot body is accidently consumed by either man or animal in high enough quantities, there is extreme pain, limb loss and sometimes death.ResultsThis study was initiated to develop simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers for rapid identification of C. purpurea. SSRs were designed from sequence data stored at the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The study consisted of 74 ergot isolates, from four different host species, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Bromus inermis, and Secale cereale plus three additional Claviceps species, C. pusilla, C. paspali and C. fusiformis. Samples were collected from six different counties in Oregon and Washington over a 5-year period. Thirty-four SSR markers were selected, which enabled the differentiation of each isolate from one another based solely on their molecular fingerprints. Discriminant analysis of principle components was used to identify four isolate groups, CA Group 1, 2, 3, and 4, for subsequent cluster and molecular variance analyses. CA Group 1 consisting of eight isolates from the host species P. pratensis, was separated on the cluster analysis plot from the remaining three groups and this group was later identified as C. humidiphila. The other three groups were distinct from one another, but closely related. These three groups contained samples from all four of the host species. These SSRs are simple to use, reliable and allowed clear differentiation of C. humidiphila from C. purpurea. Isolates from the three separate species, C. pusilla, C. paspali and C. fusiformis, also amplified with these markers.ConclusionsThe SSR markers developed in this study will be helpful in defining the population structure and genetics of Claviceps strains. They will also provide valuable tools for plant breeders needing to identify resistance in crops or for researchers examining fungal movements across environments.
Highlights
Claviceps purpurea is a pathogen that infects most members of Pooideae, a subfamily of Poaceae, and causes ergot, a floral disease in which the ovary is replaced with a sclerotium
Alkaloids produced in the sclerotia are toxic, and if ingested by animals or humans result in ergotism
Ergotism is a condition characterized by constriction of the blood vessels, and can give rise to abortion, gangrenous limbs, and death from continued ingestion of the alkaloids [5]
Summary
Claviceps purpurea is a pathogen that infects most members of Pooideae, a subfamily of Poaceae, and causes ergot, a floral disease in which the ovary is replaced with a sclerotium. In 2014, 85 million kilograms of perennial ryegrass seed were produced, with a Gilmore et al Fungal Biol Biotechnol (2016) 3:1 sclerotium, depending on the Claviceps species. The best known species is C. purpurea which infects hundreds of grasses, primarily in the Pooideae subfamily of the grass family, including wheat, rye, and barley [5]. Alkaloids produced in the sclerotia are toxic, and if ingested by animals or humans result in ergotism. Ergotism is a condition characterized by constriction of the blood vessels, and can give rise to abortion, gangrenous limbs, and death from continued ingestion of the alkaloids [5]
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