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A high proportion of NX-2 genotype strains are found among Fusarium graminearum isolates from northeastern New York State

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Abstract

Fusarium graminearum, a fungal pathogen of wheat, barley, and corn, produces a variety of trichothecene mycotoxins that are important as virulence factors and as seed contaminants reducing grain quality. A previous survey of the pathogen in New York State identified variation in genes indicative of trichothecene diversity. Recently F. graminearum strains that produce a newly characterized trichothecene mycotoxin called NX-2 have been identified in North America. Using a large collection of F. graminearum strains from Willsboro NY, we found that the frequency of NX-2 genotype strains was 7–14 times higher than at other locations where it was reported previously. NX-2 genotypes were not only found in wheat heads but also found in high frequency from air samples and on maize ears and stubble. Because NX-2 genotypes may represent as much as 20% of the total F. graminearum population, this regional fungal population provides an opportunity to assess the effects of the novel NX-2 trichothecene on fungal virulence, toxin loading, and patterns of host specificity that could inform future disease management and plant breeding.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Karen Broz for excellent technical support. This study was supported by the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, National Program for Plant Disease and by the United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Cornell University Hatch Project NYC1537436. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Author notes

  1. Lotus Lofgren

    Present address: Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

  2. Paulo R. Kuhnem

    Present address: Biotrigo Genética Ltda, Passo Fundo, RS, 99052-160, Brazil

  3. Emerson M. Del Ponte

    Present address: Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Lotus Lofgren, Jakob Riddle, Yanhong Dong & H. Corby Kistler

  2. Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Paulo R. Kuhnem, Jaime A. Cummings & Gary C. Bergstrom

  3. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil

    Paulo R. Kuhnem & Emerson M. Del Ponte

  4. USDA ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    H. Corby Kistler

Authors
  1. Lotus Lofgren
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  2. Jakob Riddle
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  3. Yanhong Dong
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Correspondence to H. Corby Kistler.

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Lofgren, L., Riddle, J., Dong, Y. et al. A high proportion of NX-2 genotype strains are found among Fusarium graminearum isolates from northeastern New York State. Eur J Plant Pathol 150, 791–796 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-017-1314-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-017-1314-6

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