RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Home → Publications → Tree Improvement and Genetics → Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference → 31st Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (2011) → Genome sequence-enabled identification of avirulence genes in the fusiform rust fungus

Genome sequence-enabled identification of avirulence genes in the fusiform rust fungus

Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme (Cqf), the causative agent of fusiform rust disease has been damaging southern pine forests for decades. A complete Cqf genome sequence is currently under assembly at the Joint Genome Institute that will greatly facilitate identification of avirulence genes. Amerson and colleagues (manuscript in prep) have mapped 9 resistance genes (R genes) in loblolly pine suggesting that at least 9 corresponding avirulence genes (Avr genes) should exist in the fungus. The resistant reaction (i.e., no gall condition) requires the match of at least one R gene with its corresponding Avr gene for each spore that challenges the tree. Precise identification of these avirulence genes will provide the most accurate markers for measurement of allelic frequencies in various geographic locations. Frequency measurements can be used to guide selection of the most appropriate resistant pine genotypes. These kinds of preventive measures can now be realized more quickly with the aid of the Cqf genomic sequence.


Download this file:

PDF document Download this file — PDF document, 39Kb

Details

Author(s): John M. Davis