Genetic variability of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntz based on AFLP analysis and host-parasite interaction

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 128; no. 3; pp. 375 - 388
• Main Authors: BOTANGA, Christopher J, KLING, Jennifer G, BERNER, Dana K, TIMKO, Michael P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.01.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotypes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic diversity; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Genotypes; Host plants; Parasites; Parasitic plants; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Pest resistance; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plant breeding; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Benin; West Africa; Africa; Host parasite relation; Monocotyledones; Genetic variability; Zea mays; Genetic marker; Tropical zone; Host specificity; Genetic distance; Cereal crop; Sorghum bicolor; host-specialization; Gramineae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; AFLP; Scrophulariaceae; Spermatophyta; Ecotype; Amplified fragment length polymorphism marker; Striga asiatica; Parasitic plant
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1021200213599

AFLP analysis was used to estimate genetic variability within and among 14 populations of Striga asiaticaL. Kuntze collected from different locations within the Republic of Benin. The mean within-population genetic distances ranged from 0.028 to 0.038, while the mean among-population genetic distances ranged from 0.019to 0.088, with an assumed minimum genetic distance of0.01 in each case. Intra- and inter-population variation was reflected by a highly significant R^sup 2^ of 0.61for the regression of geographic distance versus genetic distance. Interactions of the different Strigapopulations with susceptible host genotypes, 8338-1 (Zea mays) and CK60B (Sorghum bicolor),indicated a high degree of host-specialization, with CK60B failing to support growth of the parasite from any of the populations. The various Striga populations also exhibited different degrees of virulence on susceptible host plants. Our results support the hypothesis that different populations of this parasite may well be considered and treated as ecotypes in plant breeding programs developing resistance to S. asiatica. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]