Biology subjects

Lamour, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Lamour, K..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Pyricularia Populations are Mostly Host-Specialized with Limited Reciprocal Cross-Infection Between Wheat and Endemic Grasses in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Wheat blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae Triticum (PoT), is an emergent threat to wheat production. Current understanding of the evolution and population biology of the pathogen and epidemiology of the disease has been based on phylogenomic studies that compared the wheat blast pathogen with isolates collected from grasses that were invasive to Brazilian wheat fields. Genetic similarity between isolates from wheat and grasses lead to the conclusion that significant cross-infection occurs, especially on signalgrass (Urochloa spp.); and this in turn prompted speculation that its widespread use as forage is a key driver of the diseases epidemiology. We reanalyzed data from those studies and found that all but one of the isolates from non-wheat hosts were members of PoT and the related Lolium-adapted lineage (PoL1), which meant that the Pyricularia populations typically found on endemic grasses had not yet been sampled. To address this shortcoming, we performed a comprehensive sampling of blast lesions in wheat crops and endemic grasses found in and away from wheat fields in Minas Gerais. A total 1,368 diseased samples were collected (976 leaves of wheat and grasses and 392 wheat heads) which yielded a working collection of 564 Pyricularia isolates. We show that, contrary to earlier implications, PoT was rarely found on endemic grasses and, conversely, members of grass-adapted populations were rarely found on wheat. Instead, most populations were host-specialized with constituent isolates usually grouping according to their host-of-origin. With regard to the dominant role proposed for signalgrass in wheat blast epidemiology, we found only one PoT member in 67 isolates collected from signalgrass grown away from wheat fields, and only three members of Urochloa-adapted populations among hundreds of isolates from wheat. Cross-inoculation assays on wheat and a signalgrass used in pastures (U. brizantha) suggested that the limited cross-infection observed in the field may be due to innate compatibility differences. Whether or not the observed level of cross-infection would be sufficient to provide an inoculum reservoir, or serve as a bridge between wheat growing regions, is questionable and, therefore, deserves further investigation.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Detection of bifenthrin, bifenazate, etoxazole resistance in Tetranychus urticae collected from mint fields and hop yards using targeted sequencing and TaqMan approaches

Tetranychus urticae (Koch) is an economically important pest of many agricultural commodities in the Pacific Northwest. Multiple miticides are currently registered for control including abamectin, bifenazate, bifenthrin, and extoxazole. However, populations of Tetranychus urticae have developed miticide resistance through multiple mechanisms, in many different growing regions. Producers of agricultural commodities where Tetranychus urticae infestations are problematic rely on integrated pest management tools to determine optimal control methods. Within this species multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms have been documented in different genes which are associated with miticide resistance phenotypes. The detection of these mutations through TaqMan qPCR has been suggested as a practical, quick, and reliable tool to inform agricultural producers of miticide resistance phenotypes present within their fields and have potential utility for making appropriate miticide application and integrated pest management decisions. Within this investigation we examined the use of a TaqMan qPCR-based approach to determine miticide resistance genotypes in field-collected populations of Tetranychus urticae from mint fields and hop yards in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and confirmed the results with a multiplex targeted sequencing. The results suggest the TaqMan approach accurately genotypes Tetranychus urticae populations collected from agricultural fields. The interpretation of the results, however, provide additional challenges for integrated pest management practitioners, including making miticide application recommendations where populations of Tetranychus urticae are a mix of resistant and wildtype individuals.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2022

Multiplex PCR reveals unique trends in pathogen and parasitoid infestations of alfalfa leafcutting brood cells.

The alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata Fabricius (HYMENOPTERA: Megachilidae) is an important pollinator for multiple agricultural seed commodities in the United States. Megachile rotundata is a solitary bee that forms brood cocoons where its larvae can develop. During the developmental stages of growth, broods can be preyed upon by multiple different fungal and bacterial pathogens and insect predators and parasitoids, resulting in the loss of the developing larvae. Larval loss is a major concern for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seed producers because they rely on pollinator services provided by Megachile rotundata and reduced pollination rates result in lower yields and increased production costs. In the present study, we examined the taxonomic composition of organisms found within M. rotundata brood cells using a multiplex PCR assay which was developed for the detection of the most common bacterial, fungal, and invertebrate pests and pathogens of M. rotundata larvae. Known pests of M. rotundata were detected, including members of the fungal genus Ascosphaera, the causative agent of chalkbrood. Co-infection of single brood cells by multiple Ascosphaera species was confirmed, with potential implications for chalkbrood disease management. The multiplex assay also identified DNA from more than 2,400 total species including multiple new predators and pathogenetic species not previously documented in associated with M. rotundata brood cells.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Whole genome comparisons reveal panmixia among fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) from diverse locations

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) is a highly polyphagous agricultural pest with long-distance migratory behavior threatening food security worldwide. This pest has a host range of >80 plant species, but two host strains are recognized based on their association with corn (C-strain) or rice and smaller grasses (R-strain). In this study, the population structure and genetic diversity in 55 S. frugiperda samples from Argentina, Brazil, Kenya, Puerto Rico and the United States (USA) were surveyed to further our understanding of whole genome nuclear diversity. Comparisons at the genomic level suggest panmixia in this population, other than a minor reduction in gene flow between the two overwintering populations in the continental USA that also corresponded to genetically distinct host strains. Two maternal lines were detected from analysis of mitochondrial genomes. We found members from the Eastern Hemisphere interspersed within both continental USA overwintering subpopulations, suggesting multiple individuals were likely introduced to Africa. Comparisons between laboratory-reared and field collected S. frugiperda support similar genomic diversity, validating the experimental use of laboratory strains. Our research is the largest diverse collection of United States S. frugiperda whole genome sequences characterized to date, covering eight continental states and a USA territory (Puerto Rico). The genomic resources presented provide foundational information to understand gene flow at the whole genome level among S. frugiperda populations.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Candidatus (Ca.) phytoplasma asteris subgroups display distinct disease progression dynamics during the carrot growing season

Aster Yellows phytoplasma (AYp; Candidatus (Ca.) Phytoplasma asteris) is an obligate bacterial pathogen that is the causative agent of multiple diseases in herbaceous plants. While this phytoplasma has been examined in depth for its disease characteristics, knowledge about the spatial and temporal dynamics of pathogen spread is lacking. The phytoplasma is found in plants phloem and is vectored by leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Hemiptera), including the aster leafhopper, Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes. The aster leafhopper is a migratory insect pest that overwinters in the southern United States, and historical data suggest these insects migrate from southern overwintering locations to northern latitudes annually, transmitting and driving phytoplasma infection rates as they migrate. A more in-depth understanding of the spatial, temporal and genetic determinants of Aster Yellows disease progress will lead to better integrated pest management strategies for Aster Yellows disease control. Carrot, Daucus carota L., plots were established at two planting densities in central Wisconsin and monitored during the 2018 growing season for Aster Yellows disease progression. Symptomatic carrots were sampled and assayed for the presence of the Aster Yellows phytoplasma. Aster Yellows disease progression was determined to be significantly associated with calendar date, crop density, location within the field, and phytoplasma subgroup.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Genetic diversity of the spinach downy mildew pathogen based on hierarchical sampling

Downy mildew, caused by the obligate oomycete pathogen Peronospora effusa, is the most economically important disease of spinach. In the past 30 years, 14 new races and 13 strains with novel virulence have been identified. However, the mechanism(s) driving the rapid evolution of virulence remains unknown. To understand reproductive strategies potentially driving the emergence of new races in P. effusa, 67 composite isolates (a collection of symptomatic leaves from a single cultivar grown in a defined area) of P. effusa obtained from 13 states between 2010 and 2018 were used to analyze the population genetic diversity hierarchically. Genotypes at 33 SNP loci of 719 lesions from these 67 isolates were determined by targeted sequencing. Diversity was then evaluated among individual lesions within the composite isolates, between isolates, host cultivars, geographic locations, and years of isolates collected. A total of 380 genotypes were identified from 719 individual lesions. Of the 380 genotypes, 350 (92%) were unique while the most common genotype was identified in 110 lesions of 16 isolates collected from 13 cultivars from CA and AZ in 2016. Variation within composite isolates ranged from none (a single genotype among lesions from a composite isolate) to 38 unique genotypes recovered from 39 lesions of a composite isolate. An index of association analysis suggested asexual (clonal) and sexual reproduction play important roles in population structure. Based on discriminant analysis of principal components, four distinct subpopulations were identified. Host cultivar, origin, and time of collection had an effect on population differentiation, and genotypes specific to a certain location or collection period were identified. Some subpopulations were unique to certain areas, and were only detected after 2014-2016. The co-existence of sexual and asexual reproduction strategies may partially explain the rapid emergence and spread of new races and novel strains of P. effusa.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Dynamic Extreme Aneuploidy (DEA) in the vegetable pathogen Phytophthora capsici sheds light on instant evolution and intractability.

Oomycete plant pathogens are notoriously difficult to control, and individual isolates are highly unstable; making routine research challenging. Sequencing reveals extreme aneuploidy for single-spore progeny of the vegetable pathogen Phytophthora capsici; a phenomenon dubbed Dynamic Extreme Aneuploidy (DEA). Although extreme, the aneuploidy appears to be moderately stable. A single sporulating plant lesion may produce an armada of genetically unique individuals and helps explain the rapid increase of advantageous alleles (e.g. drug resistance), mating type switches to allow sex and the widely observed phenomenon, loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Investigation of other oomycetes indicate this phenomenon is not unique to P. capsici.

genomics↗