Comparative genomic analysis reveals genetic variation in the pathogenicity-related genes of Canadian Phytophthora capsici isolates

Citation

Villanueva, O., Ilyukhin, E., Svircev, A.M., Castle, A.J., Ellouze, W. (2022) Comparative genomic analysis reveals genetic variation in the pathogenicity-related genes of Canadian Phytophthora capsici isolates. The 3rd Annual CanFunNet Fungal Biology Conference, June 1-3. Held virtually at University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. p. 88.

Abstract

The oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora capsici occurs worldwide on vegetable crops causing serious crop losses. The control of this pathogen is difficult due to presence of fungicide resistant isolates and different virulence levels among the P. capsici population. Comparative genomic analysis have been used to explain the difference in virulence by analyzing the pathogenicity genes. In this study, the whole genome of two P. capsici isolates from Ontario were sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing. The comparative genomic analysis revealed differences in the content of cytoplasmic effectors genes, genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), secondary metabolite biosynthesis-related genes, as well in protease and protease inhibitors. To date, there are no reports on the genomic analysis of Canadian P. capsici isolates. The new genomic information provides important insight to the pathogenicity features of P. capsici. Understanding the genomic components of this pathogen and its interaction with the crops will lead to improved control strategies for phytophthora blight.

Publication date

2022-06-01